Aussie Warrior a first winner for Thomas Hughes

The colours of 1999 Galway Hurdle winner Quinze were in the winners' enclosure after Aussie Warrior made all in the four-year-old maiden hurdle.

Bought for 35,000 pounds out of James Tate's yard in the autumn, the 16/1 chance left behind two unplaced efforts over hurdles to score by four  and a quarter lengths from Mercury Mission  

It was a first winner for Thomas Hughes, son of Quinze's trainer Pat, and he was on lead up duties. 

Rider Cian Quirke, in the maroon and white silks of Pat Byrne, said: "He's a Flat horse and probably got a bit sick of the Flat so they changed up games with him.

"He was a bit free in behind on his last two runs so they said to jump out and, if he settled and got his own way in front, they knew he had the ability. 

"He jumped brilliant, never stopped and it took me a while to pull him up, so he should be a nice horse for the summer. 

On his recent return from injury, he added: "I dislocated my wrist in February and did a lot of ligament damage. I was out for three months and missed all the festivals.

"This is my second winner since I've come back and hopefully we can kick on and try and get going again."

Quotes from Gary Carson