Wicklow Gold stormed away in the closing stages to run out an easy winner of the 2m5f maiden hurdle at Tramore.

Ruby Walsh had tracked leader Maya Quest on the 5/4 favourite before hitting the front at the fourth last.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was in control before the second last as Walsh asked him to go about his business and he could afford to ease down on the run-in for a 27 length victory.

The winner had been easy enough to back, having been a shade of odds-on in places this morning and opening 11/10 on track.

He was taking a drop in grade today having been fourth behind a decent sort in The Job Is Right at Clonmel last month.

“That was nice improvement from the last day. I think the trip is the real key to him and the bit of nicer ground as well,” said Mullins.

“He's more of a chaser but he never lost an inch over his hurdles today. I thought he would come on a fair bit from his run in Clonmel.

“I was thinking about maybe going for a handicap at Limerick over Christmas and we'll see what kind of mark he gets.

“He'll spend the year hurdling.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)