Schumpters Lad opened up his account over hurdles on the fifth time of asking when he came home in front of the Mount Leinster Maiden Hurdle at Wexford this evening.

Philip Enright who took the riding honours sent the Beneficial gelding to front after the last and the pair sprinted clear on the run-in to record a three and half length victory.

Winning trainer P J Colville said afterwards: “This lad is a bit of a divil, he needed the blinkers today to help him concentrate.”

“He has plenty of ability and he’ll go for a novice race next and we'll see how he gets on then after that.”

“He likes the fast ground, he actually goes on all the ground but I really think it was the blinkers that made all the difference.”

“It’s a pity the owner was not here Deirdre Ronan as they have waited a while for this lad to win, they own Orchard Farm Stud in Clonmel.”