Front-running Nas Na Riogh justified strong market confidence (100/30 — 2/1f) to land Tipperary's season-opening Welcome To Tipperary Maiden Hurdle today, scoring for jockey Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromjead.

A point-to-point winner for trainer John Murphy before joining current connections for £120,000 last April, the Walk In The Park-gelding today made all racing at pace and, in the end, scored readily from Brave Fortune

De Bromhead's assistant Robbie Power later reported “we were hoping he'd improve for a bit of nicer ground and he definitely has. He jumped and travelled, and Rachael said he quickened up going down to the second-last.

“He has plenty of options but I think that'll be it for the year. We'll have a chat with Henry first but he is a chaser — that's his job. He is fine big horse and it is great for Charlie and Nuala (Doocey, owners).”