The St Patrick's Day meeting at Down Royal started in dramatic fashion with Geneva Barracks gifted victory in the opening Guinness Maiden Hurdle. Jack Dillinger soon opened up a clear lead in the two miler and just Geneva Barracks and Colwinston gave chase as the field trailed.

The leader came back to his nearest pursuers going to four out and made a slight blunder there. Mark Enright had kept a bit up his sleeve on the 9/10 shot, however.

Geneva Barracks pecked at the third last and was struggling two from home as Jack Dillinger skipped clear again.

The favourite only had to last to overcome but pecked on landing and unshipped Enright, who tried in vain to hang on.

The Martin Brassil-trained Geneva Barracks was left to pick up the pieces, going on for a 14 length success under the trainer's son Conor.

The winning handler said:- "The only doubt was that he might run into the loose horse! It's better to be born lucky than rich!

“He was going to win a maiden hurdle at some stage. He made a mistake at the third last or he might have been able to get more of a challenge at him.

"The ground was maybe a bit dead for him. Spring ground is coming so we'll see. He ran well in a bumper in Fairyhouse and that mare Forge Meadow has come out and won plenty.

"Now he has got his head in front he could start believing in himself. He has plenty of pace.

“He could still be a novice until Royal Bond day so there might be a novice hurdle for him. He had his luck today, hopefully he hasn't used it all up."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)