On his first start for the Terence O'Brien stable, Buster Dan Dan put up a performance well deserving of the near twenty thousand Euro first prize, in the M.J. Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.

Adrian Heskin 's mount, runner-up over three miles at the Harvest Festival last year, soon won the battle for the lead, and he went clear in the two and a half miler from before the straight.

A peck at the last gave supporters of the 11/1 winner momentary cause for concern, but Buster Dan Dan galloped on well afterwards to keep Master Appeal and Childrens List at bay by four and a quarter lengths and a head.

A stable representative was praiseworthy of Heskin - his first time to ride Buster Dan Dan - in the aftermath.

The seven-year-old is said to have done nothing but improve since joining O'Brien and he'll be kept going until the ground deteriorates.

Heskin said: "There was a lot of pace on in the race - it was fast and furious.

"It's the nature of the horse that he has to front run. He's good and hardy and he stayed on well."

(AM & EM)