Hardline was friendless among punters in morning trading but that didn't prevent him stretching away to win the two mile maiden hurdle in Wexford.

He improved to challenge Schmidt at the penultimate hurdle and assumed the lead upon touching down.

The 5/2 favourite then readily asserted before the last and eased right away on the run-in for Jack Kennedy to score by 10 lengths.

Schmidt, the market gamble from 8/1 to 4/1, finished second with Mount Hanover (3/1) third.

Gordon Elliott 's assistant trainer Ian Amond said: "He did everything right - he travelled well, jumped well and won easy. He had a few falls last year and hopefully he can kick on from here.

"Looking at him there you would say he has come on for the run at Downpatrick. We will see what comes up for him now."

Jack Kennedy added: "He has plenty of gears. If he learns to settle he could even go up in trip. He is a nice horse."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy