The predominantly red and white 'blood and bandage' silks shared by the Byrne, Kiely and Hughes Partnership got a successful airing in the opener at Kilbeggan as Crack The Sky took the Racing Again Summer Evening Racing August 23rd Maiden Hurdle at her ease.

A shade of odds-on at 5/6, the victorious Nathaniel mare had this won approaching the straight barring accidents, in the hands of Paul Townend. In the end the Willie Mullins runner got the job done by twelve lengths from Clonshire River

"She was a lot more grown up than on her other two runs," reported Townend.

"That's testament to the lads who ride her out at home - getting her to relax isn't easy.

"She jumped fine but has her own way of doing it.

"With her winter form you'd be expecting her to pick that up."

(TW & EM)