Charpoy did it the hard way to get off the mark in the opening maiden at Killarney.

Johnny Murtagh bounced his mount out in front in the mile contest and he stuck to his task well in the closing stages.

Ken Condon 's charge was asked for an effort two furlongs out and the 9/4 favourite knuckled down to record a length victory.

The well-backed Sunset Stanza (6/1 in morning into 11/4 on course) made a very promising debut, running on from the back to take second.

"He wasn't winning out of turn. His last two runs at Dundalk were good runs but he wasn't winning before time," said Condon.

"He likes the fast ground and we were lucky the rain stayed away. He'll go for a mile three-year-old handicap somewhere next."

Gary Carson