Corbetts Cross (15/8f) made a winning start for new owner Paul Byrne at Fairyhouse today, defying a big weight to win the Philip O'Connor Memorial Handicap Hurdle in grand style.

Byrne had both the fortune and misfortune of Noble Yeats' big-money sale just two months before his Aintree Grand National win, and today Corbetts Cross debuted for the prominent owner following a Christmas maiden hurdle win at Limerick.

Trained by Eugene O'Sullivan and ridden by daughter Maxine O'Sullivan, the strapping six year old scored comfortably from a rating of 130 and under 11st7lb, from Martha Devine.

O'Sullivan senior said “he's a beautiful horse and is improving all the time. I don't know what the future is, Paul (Byrne) isn't here but today was the day.

“We're delighted with the horse, he does everything so easy. He was so relaxed today a child could walk him around the ring and he just takes racing in his stride. The trip is no problem for him and he could even go back to 2m6f.

“We're delighted and I'm delighted that Paul left him with me for the time being. I don't think he'll be staying with me but is staying with me for his hurdling career. I'd love to have kept him but my business is to survive.”

Quotes from Gary Carson