Whatever It Takes stayed on best to beat 15/8 favourite Solaras Exhibition after the pair locked horns from two out in the opening extended two mile maiden hurdle at Clonmel.
The three-year-old son of High Chaparral, in the distinctive JP McManus colours, jumped well throughout and beat his rival by half-a-length at 5/2 with Mark Walsh in the saddle.
Trainer Tommy Stack was on hand to see his charge shed his maiden tag and said: “He’s tough and keeps at it well. Mark said the ground is on the slow side of good, but he wants if faster.
“He did well to win and it’s nice to have a winner for JP.”
Whatever It Takes, a winner on the flat, was improving from his first two runs over hurdles where he finished third at Roscommon and fourth at Galway.
Making his jumping debut Hollymount King was third at 25/1. He led three furlongs out but couldn’t keep tabs with the front two after the second last.
Poopluck Bridge who was supported from 4/1 to 9/4 in the morning was a non runner for Ted and Ruby Walsh.
Michael Graham
