After finishing second over the course and distance last time out, King Of Aran went one place better today in the opener at Downpatrick the William Hill Northern Ireland Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Michael Grassick the winner was having his fifth start over hurdles today having won twice on the flat at Naas in '09 and in Dundalk in March of this year. Rocky Wednesday who was placed in graded company twice last season, was sent off the strong 8/11 favourite, but on what was his seasonal debut he found little when asked by Davy Russell and finished a disappointing fourth.

The winning son of Val Royal was sent off the 2/1 second favourite and cruised into the lead at the last and kept on strongly on the run-in to score easily by seven lengths from Whitehead Lad at 14/1 back in second.

Winning trainer Michael Grassick said afterwards: “"You always have to take someone on in races. Our main opposition was the odds-on favourite, but if you don't take them on you can’t win.

"He will have a break now as the ground is going against him."

The winning Don't Tell The Missus Syndicate is made up of Gerry Gilmore, Seamus Harney, Paul Gallagher and Robbie Kelly all from Galway.

Paul Gallagher was the only one of the syndicate present for the win and he said afterwards: "We got the name for the syndicate because we lost so much money on horses down through the years!"