Bishops Road was driven out by Davy Russell to justify 6/5 favouritism in the two mile Gowran Park Maiden Hurdle for five-year-olds plus.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge, who is owned by Gigginstown, won a bumper at Killarney in May after catching the eye when landing his point-to-point at Lismore in March.

Today’s hurdling assignment proved well within his grasp as he smoothly hit the front after jumping three out. Rock The World (7/2) attempted to make a race of it after the final flight and Russell pushed his mount out for a length and three quarter win.

"I'm delighted with that. He did it well, and they pulled well away from the third. He is a real chaser in the making and he jumps great,” Henry de Bromhead said.

“I'm delighted to get a win for the Gigginstown team and I will speak to Eddie and Michael as to where he will go next, but I imagine it will be a novice hurdle. I have one other Gigginstown horse, a nice sort who won his point-to-point." Some Article who won the valuable Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown last year, bounced back from being pulled up last-time out as he came in third today at 8/1.

Davy Condon, rider of Devils Paintbrush trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount pulled up having burst blood vessels

Bryan Cooper, jockey on Charming Blue trained by Arthur Goulding, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount pulled up lame.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy