On his second start for Paul Nolan Declan's Lad followed-up a good effort at Cork when defying a market-drift to land the Fred Salter Ballon Meats Maiden Hurdle in great style under Alain Cawley.

The eight-year-old was in front travelling best before two out and hurdling cleanly he soon put the outcome beyond doubt, coasting home by five lengths from Double Eagle

Nolan commented: "I have him three to four months now. We thought he'd run well as we were delighted with the Cork run. He is rated 83 over fences so we are going to have a bit of fun with him now. The track here is riding great now with the extension and I'm delighted to have a winner at my local course. The owners are from Craughwell in Galway and they sponsor Alain."