Dessie Hughes was a welcome visitor on his return from surgery at Punchestown today and the trainer didn't have to wait long before seeing his first winner, Somethingwonderful in the opening Buy Your 2014 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Davy Russell, Somethingwonderful went to the front before the last before defeating Park Ranger by a length and three quarters. Samam Alaykum, the 11/8 favourite, jumped poorly and was well held in fourth.

Hughes missed seeing his White Star Line win last month's Kerry National, among other winners, due to his recent surgery but the appropriately named Somethingwonderful was a nice introduction back for the trainer who later stated “he (Somethingwonderful) is going to be a nice horse and he'll probably get further.

“He jumps well and his job will be chasing. I don't know whether he'd be quick enough to compete in the good novices; he's a stayer and has a good cruising speed.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson