Salsa Sensation justified his position as odds-on favourite when a convincing victor of the opening www.downpatrickracecourse.co.uk Maiden Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.

Connections and supporters of the J P McManus-owned 4/6 shot, may have had their nerve tested when he made a mistake three out, but the pace-setting Utmost Zeal also picked up four faults here.

With third market choice Mystic Princess departing as early as the first, in truth this extended two and a quarter miler probably didn't take too much winning, but Salsa Sensation couldn't have done any more than head Utmost Zeal before the last, on the way to a six and a half length victory.

Winning trainer Ted Walsh said: "That was nice, he confirmed what he showed at Leopardstown. We didn't know how he would handle the track, but he handled it well. He'll make a nice three mile chaser." (MG & EM)