Il Courra (15/8) was relatively untroubled in winning the Pat Doyle Memorial Maiden Hurdle by four and a half lengths.

He tracked the front-running 6/4 favourite Rebel Rose before going past that one between the final two flights and from there on he had the race in safe keeping. The market leader got the last wrong but still finished clear of third home Old Durham Town

The Cormac Farrell-trained winner had been runner-up in similar events at Naas and Limerick earlier in the year.

Winning rider Adam Short said: “I'm very happy with him, his form was in the book as he'd won a bumper and been placed in some nice winter maiden hurdles.

“I thought the good ground would help, I was a little bit worried as it was the best ground he's ran on but he handled it really well. He jumped super and was probably the best horse in the race.

“I was able to follow Ricky (Doyle), on what looked like the horse to beat. It was very straightforward and hopefully he can keep going now.”

Quotes from Gary Carson