The Dermot Weld trained Dont Tell No One under Davy Russell, kicked off the new racing year with a win in Fairyhouse's curtain-opening Happy New Year Maiden Hurdle.

The son of Westerner hadn't run since making a winning bumper debut at the 2013 Galway Festival but readily belied a subsequent two and a half year absence, staying on well for a length and three quarters win over Sizinguptheamazon

Following the win, Weld stated “that's a very pleasant start. He had been schooling well at home and I thought he'd be hard to beat. It's a nice start to the New Year.

“He's had his problems but has a lot of ability and it's onwards and upwards.

“He'll go for a winners of one. He stays very well and we'll look for something over two-and-a-half to three miles.”

The win was some compensation for winning owner and RTE pundit Brian Gleeson, who lost his Authorisation at Punchestown yesterday.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson