The Ken Condon trained Zabana under Billy Lee, belied a lack of market confidence to shed his maiden tag in the opening Waterford & Tramore Directors Maiden at Tramore today.

The son of Halling was a 4/7 chance in the morning, and returned a much easier to back 10/11 favourite, eventually made all for an easy eight lengths win over Stay In My Heart

Afterwards Condon stated “I think it's fair to say he was entitled to do that on his form and on ratings. I'm glad he did it today, having run well at Dundalk.

“I was a bit cautious coming down here as not every horse handles the track and he was a little bit awkward on the bends.

“I think he'll make a nice hurdler, he has plenty of size and scope and he has a big stride and will get better as he gets older.”

(On-course reporting by Donal Murphy)