No Looking Back quickened up in good style to make a winning start over jumps at Thurles this afternoon.

The Oliver McKiernan-trained gelding was very easy to back in the race, run over just shy of two miles, drifting from 3/1 this morning out to 14/1.

He swooped to lead bypassing the final flight though and soon settled matters as he proved too strong for 11/10 favourite Innatendue posting a convincing three-and-a-half length win under Phillip Enright.

No Looking Back had won a bumper first time out last season at this venue before finishing fourth in a strong sales race at Fairyhouse.

"he won his bumper here the same way, when he came down the hill he showed a good turn of foot, was interested in what he was doing and went on and won,” said McKiernan.

"His jumping was pretty ok, I think he'll be sharper the next day but I'm delighted with him. He is a grand horse and is a half-brother to (stablemate) Unexpected Depth.

"We have no plan and came here today to see how he'd behave and perform. I'd say he'll run at Christmas but I'm not sure he likes heavy ground, yielding or soft ground probably suits him."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)