Many punters got the Tramore 2018 festival off to the right start when local runner and favourite Statistical took the Walter & Eileen Power Memorial Beginners Chase.

Always up there under Rachael Blackmore, the 3/1 shot found enough when required over the closing couple of fences (not fluent at the last) to score a two length win for the Henry de Bromhead yard.

De Bromhead also supplied the third past the post, Hitdroadjack and the stable companions where split by Gordon Elliott's Ourmanmassini in second place.

"That was great and he got a super ride again from Rachael. I thought he was tough, and he stuck at it well," said de Bromhead.

"I'm delighted with him because I thought he mightn't stay, but he stayed well. Like a lot of ours he has really taken to fences.

"He is not eligible to run tomorrow now, we had that as a back up plan."

S.A. Shortall, rider of Boston Spray trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action travelling down the hill on the last circuit.

D.N. Russell, rider of Creadan Grae trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount moved poorly throughout.

M.A. Enright, rider of Hitdroadjack trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his saddle slipped during this race.

(DM & EM)