Co Kilkenny trainer Eoin Doyle took the opening race on today’s card at Down Royal, the Eventsec 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle after his charge Chebona Bula came home in front.

The son of Haafhd was sent to the front two from home by Shay Barry and the pair kept on well to hold off the challenges of Sword Fish and 4/5 favourite Doctor Deejay by a length and quarter.

Winning trainer Doyle said afterwards: “He did it well, he probably wants better ground even though he got through it well enough today.”

“He stays and jumps very well and we might give him a little break now and freshen him up for Leopardstown at Christmas, I think he’s entitled to take his chance there.”

“He’s improving all of time and our long-term plan, everything going well, would be the Fred Winter.”