Ballygunner Castle survived a number of anxious moments with a loose horse in the straight before taking the Kettles Country House Hotel Supporting Fingal Ravens GFC Raceday Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The 3/1 shot was making his hurdle debut having won bumpers at Limerick and Tipperary last spring and was completing a double on the card for both Willie Mullins and Paul Townend who also teamed up to take the opener with Impaire Et Passe

Townend’s mount was hampered by the loose Summer Dawn at the second last and relinquished the lead after nearly being taken off the track by the loose horse approaching the last.

Ballygunner Castle rallied strongly on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter with Special Cadeau also finishing well in second having met some interference on the home turn.

Don’tstopthemusic led narrowly over the last but ultimately had to settle for third.

Townend said, “He had to overcome plenty from very early. He got a good bump at the start and I nearly fell off him at the first.

“I had to ride him on then and I made him do plenty throughout the race. There was no hiding places and it was messy up the straight but he still pulled out again. It's the sign of a good one.

“He will relax better, I had him lit up to take on his hurdles early today because of what happened at the first. He'll be fine, he's learning on the job.

“The horse inside me wasn't quick away from the last either but still to do all that wrong and pull another bit was a fair performance.”

Quotes by Gary Carson