Shoot First hits the target for Byrnes

Shoot First came from well off the pace to land the 2m4f maiden hurdle under Ambrose McCurtin.

Backed from 8/1 into 11/2 before the off, the winner was pushed along after three out and had plenty to do at that point. He moved into fourth when not fluent at the next but really began to motor from there and a fast jump at the last carried him to the front. The Westerner gelding went away on the run-in to beat Mr Saxobeat and Time Marches On by three and a quarter lengths and three parts of a length.

Third on debut in a division of this maiden a year ago, the winner had finished fourth at Down Royal on his most recent outing in May.

Winning trainer Charles Byrnes said: "They went a good honest gallop and he stays well. He ran well here first time out and getting the 8lb bumper allowance made a big difference.

"He'll probably go handicapping now and that is Ambrose's first winner for me."

Quotes from Tom Weekes