< Ballysassian sprung a surprise when making a winning debut over timber in the first division of the Ballynonty Maiden Hurdle under Kevin Coleman.

There were three in line jumping the second-last but Terence O'Brien's 20-1 chance began to draw away soon after and passed the post three lengths clear of Some Song

Odds-on favourite Bannow Rose proved a big disappointment.

O'Brien said: "We knew he had a lot of ability but he's had his problems over the last year and I was more than surprised the horse won today."< Inistioge narrowly held off the challenge of the fast-finishing Outlaw Kid in division two.

The 5-1 winner appeared to have the race sewn up when getting the better of Fairwood Bob after the final flight, but Outlaw Kid came from a remote fourth and was only a short-head behind at the line.< Layde Back was sent off the 6-4 favourite but could finish only a distant fifth for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Mullins said: "I don't think the ground was the problem, I didn't think he was letting himself down properly as he came past the stands.

"I think there may be a muscle problem but we will see when he has cooled down."

But Mullins and Walsh were back among the winners in division three as Otay Kawn also obliged for favourite-backers.

The six-year-old, a bumper winner last year, was sent off the 4-11 market leader to break his hurdling duck at the third attempt and was value for more than the official margin of a length and a half.

Mullins said: "The horse did more or less what he was expected to do but we were very worried about the ground.

"We will keep the horse to two miles rather than two and a half and we will look for a nice novice or winners of one for him.

"I don't think he will go to Cheltenham, he looks more of a Fairyhouse prospect."

Walsh went on to complete a double in the following Littleton Handicap Hurdle on board Whinstone Boy

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