David Splaine gave Curvacious a beautifully judged front-running ride to land the maiden hurdle on the card at Gowran Park this afternoon.

Ted Stanners' mare took them along in the two-mile contest and had the field at work before the bend.

Even-money favourite Bell Weir was struggling to make an impression on the turn for home and Curvacious kept on strongly in the closing stages.

The 11/1 shot went on to post a comprehensive eight-and-a-half length victory.

The winner was having her second start over hurdles having finished fourth when also cutting out the running on her jumps debut at Limerick over Christmas.

It was a welcome winner for Stanner, his first since last June, and he said afterwards:-

“She ran over 2m2f at Limerick and made most of the running but didn't get home. That was on worse ground than this though. She got the trip really well today.

“She's a big strapping mare. It depends on what the handicapper does now as she'll probably go handicapping.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)