Crocus Bay (right) leads Roadtoabbeyfeale © Photo Healy Racing
Crocus Bay got off the mark over jumps at the first time of asking when claiming the six-year-olds and up maiden hurdle at Clonmel.
The race developed into a duel between market leaders Crocus Bay (7/4f) and Roadtoabbeyfeale (11/4).
The pair disputed rounding the top turn and got down to work from the second last.
Barry Geraghty 's mount asserted approaching the last and proved strongest in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-quarter success.
The Edward O'Grady-trained Overbury gelding had finished runner-up on his last four bumper starts but made no mistake today.
"I'm disppointed that he never won a bumper and surprised by that too," said O'Grady.
"He jumps well and stays well and hopefully he'll continue onwards and upwards over hurdles.
"It looks likely that he'll continue for the summer. He was well beaten when he ran in a bumper here last time but he was unlucky at Tramore."
Gary Carson & Donal Murphy
