Up in trip on hurdles debut with first-time blinkers on, 25/1 shot Ferocious overturned Five O’Clock (4/11 into 1/4) in the Maureen Mullins Outstanding Achievement Award 2019 Maiden Hurdle at Tramore.

Given the race title many were expecting Willie Mullins to take this with French-import Five O’Clock, even though the Closutton maestro has described him as “an out-and-out chaser.”

Odds-on backers, watching Paul Townend go for his second winner of the day, would probably have liked to have witnessed a champion jockey more at his ease going down the back straight.

However it looked better for Five O’Clock when he joined Ferocious from before the second last.

On his third start five-year-old Presenting gelding Ferocious proved gritty though, and in the hands of Jack Kennedy he dug it out by a length and a quarter.

They drew seventeen lengths clear of the third home, Memory Tree

Gordon Elliott has care of Ferocious for Gigginstown House Stud.

“He did it well. It’s tough old going but he got through it and stayed galloping. He jumped very well for a horse first time over hurdles," said Kennedy.

"It was a big step up from his bumper form but I think he probably just wants a trip and will want further in time. It's just that it was so testing today it played into his hands.”

(AM & EM)