Bardenstown Lad negotiates the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
John McConnell's Bardenstown Lad relished three miles on hurdling debut in the Cullen Mills Ballymurn Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.
The easy to back 10/3 chance powered into the lead coming to the final quarter of a mile in this staying test.
He was ridden by Simon Torrens to increase his lead before two out. A rallying John Adams tried to close on him but Bardenstown Lad got away well from the last and kept up the gallop to win by a length and quarter.
John Adams had to settle for second at 14/1 and was four lengths clear of Courting Flow (17/2).
Torrens said: "We had planned on being handier but they went a proper gallop and he got squeezed going to the first.
"He is a big baby still and after that it just took him a while to find his feet and get into a rhythm.
"I knew we were going plenty quick enough so I didn't panic and, in fairness, he did it well in the end. The trip seemed to suit him and he is the makings of a nice horse.
"He seemed to handle the ground well. When John says he thinks one will go close, he is never too far wrong. He likes this lad and hopefully he will keep improving."
Bardenstown Lad is a former bumper and point-to-point winner.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
