Eyes looks smart as she lands the opener

Eyesontheprize made a very impressive start to her hurdling career when sauntering to an easy success in the opening Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

Barry Geraghty tracked the leaders on the Shantou mare before taking closer order four from home.

Pat Fahy 's charge hit the front before the second last and soon pulled clear of her field.

The 11/2 shot didn't have to come out of second gear to record a comprehensive 25-length victory over 9/4 favourite Back In A Tic

The winner had landed a Navan bumper on heavy ground last February and wasn't disgraced in better company on better ground subsequently.

"Today's the first time she's had that ground since winning at Navan," said Fahy.

"We had her well schooled and primed for today. She'll get further and hopefully she might be a bit special.

"We'll find a mares novice race for her. She'll get freshened up now and go again in about three weeks."

Second favourite Rising Time (3/1) was struggling from a long way out and pulled up after the fourth last.