Despite better fancied stablemate Wrecking Ball Paul being pulled up on the final circuit, As Tears Go By proved an able deputy for Gordon Elliott when easily landing the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges Maiden Hurdle at Sligo.

Ridden by Jordan Gainford, the once-raced gelding tracked the leaders before taking over at the second last flight.

From there he extended his lead, kicking clear into the straight and going away from his rivals after jumping the last.

Well beaten on his sole previous outing in the Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown, the son of Vadamos appreciated this drop in class on his hurdling debut.

Jordan Gainford said: "He's a well-bred sort out of a good mare. We went a right good gallop. He jumped well, a little bit close to the last but he was still quick away, and he did it well.

“His first run was too bad to be true because he had shown plenty of ability at home. Whatever went wrong that day we don’t know, but getting his head in front today will help him.”

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan