Cougar made a winning start over hurdles when taking the gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Mark Walsh.

The well-bred son of Deep Impact easily won a Curragh maiden for Aidan O’Brien on his previous start at Irish Derby weekend and took well to jumping here.

The 5/2 chance had about four lengths to make up on Charlie Luciano approaching the final flight but the 15/8 favourite was slow at the last while the Padraig Roche-trained colt met it on a good stride.

Walsh’s mount was soon in front on the run-in and kept on well to score by half a length, with Shetland Tony five lengths back in third.

Roche said, “That was great. He's a lovely horse to have in the yard. Mark said he jumped great so you couldn't have asked for a better start. Mark said when he got going he really got the hang of it.

“It was a lovely introduction and he's an exciting horse to have in the yard, we're lucky to have him. I'd say Noel's horse probably stopped a little bit at the last and that helped him a bit but Mark thought he was going to get there anyway.

“We'll have a talk with Frank and JP and see where we go now.”

Quotes by Gary Carson