Prince Of Scars and Gladiator King shared the spoils after a thrilling finish to the opening Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The judge was unable to split the pair in the two-mile contest after they flashed past the post locked together.

Prince Of Scars, trained by Sandra Hughes for Gigginstown, was driven into the lead entering the straight by Roger Loughran.

Gladiator King soon loomed large, however, along with 13/8 favourite Uncle Danny

It was the Tony Martin-trained gelding who hit the front going to the last but he wasn't the quickest over the obstacle.

Tony McCoy, in JP McManus' colours, got to work on Gladiator King on the run-in as Prince Of Scars rallied to regain a narrow advantage. There was nothing between them at the line, however, as the pair both battled gamely.

Dalmatia ran on to take third ahead of Uncle Danny.

Tony Martin said afterwards: "He made a couple of mistakes but he'll learn from it. It's better than being beat a head."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)