Carlow based Barry Fitzgerald got off the mark as a trainer at Dundalk today as his Beauchamp Bagenal made a winning debut on the all-weather when landing the Crowne Plaza Hotel Apprentice Maiden under jockey Willie Byrne.

The son of Thewayyouare was well beaten in two previous bumper starts, the latest of which saw him finish 109L second-last of 17 runners behind Cheltenham Bumper candidate Eric Bloodaxe at Fairyhouse in December.

Today, however, the five year old showed much more pep and in the end stayed on well to beat Super Schemer by a length.

Askeaton, Co Limerick native Fitzgerald is a brother to former amateur jockey and point-to-point producer and pre-trainer Aidan Fitzgerald and himself, prior to taking out his trainers' license, was known in 'Flapping' circles as the trainer of miniature mare 'Maniac'.

Maniac, who had a big following with Katie Taylor-like dominance of the 12.2hh pony racing division, won over 100 flappers in the 2000's when ridden by some of today's jockeys including Danny Mullins, Connor King, Bill Lee and Emmet McNamara.

Following Fitzgerald's recent transition to the training ranks in Carlow, he today reported “that's my first winner so happy days. It's good to get one on the board.

“I've ten in altogether and eight riding out at the moment. I'm training from the owner Michael Foley's yard and have the license since July.”

Regarding Beauchamp Bagenal he added “he's out of a Listed winning mare who won up here so we said we'd try him here.

“He had two runs in bumpers but didn't quite stay. He shows plenty of speed at home.

“I was expecting a bit better tonight and he proved it there.

“We'll look at him when he gets home and see how he is tomorrow morning then we'll plan again.”

Quotes from Gary Carson