Gmac takes the opener at Killarney

The Tommy Stack trained Gmac got off the mark over hurdles on just his second try, as he took the opener at Killarney this evening, the Tadgh Clifford Groundcare 3yo Maiden Hurdle.

The son of Excellent Art finished fifth of thirteen to Sharjah on his hurdling debut at Roscommon earlier this month, and he was sent off a 9/2 chance today.

Having raced prominently, he improved to lead entering the straight, and he was ridden to assert before the second last, keeping on well to score by six lengths under Alan Crowe. Ballyglasheen was sent off the 6/4 favourite, for John and Josh Halley, but he had to settle for second, while Keychain (12/1) ran a nice race on her hurdling debut, two and a quarter lengths back in third under Davy Condon for Kevin Prendergast. Dream Nolan was 6/5 with Paddy Power this morning, but he was easy to back on-course, going from 15/8 to 5/2, and the Willie Mullins trained gelding finished a disappointing fifth under Ruby Walsh.

Tommy Stack said afterwards: "He won well and he has improved a good bit from the last day.

"He jumped well and I’m pleased with him.

"I rode a hurdle winner here for Paddy Norris back in 1977. They hadn’t cambered the bends then and it could be quite slippery with a bit of rain."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee