Heroesandvillains justified plenty of market support in the 2018/19 season opener at Kilbeggan, the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle.

Available at 7/1 in early shows, the Noel Meade trained gelding opened on-course at just 4s, before going off a 3/1 joint-favourite in the colours of owner Patricia Hunt.

Settled behind the leaders in third by Sean Flanagan, the son of Beneficial improved a place into second from four out.

He dropped back to third after two out and was soon pushed along, however he came with a renewed effort between horses approaching the last, getting to the front at the flight before keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths. Hugo 'n Taz was the other joint-favourite (backed from 4s) and he finished second under Denis Hogan, while Plan Of Attack (9/2 to 7/2) was another seven lengths back in third under Robbie Power for Henry de Bromhead.

Early favourite Thosedaysaregone was a big drifter on-course, opening at 15/8 before going off a 4/1 chance under Donal McInerney for Charles Byrnes.

The son of Getway was settled in mid-division and never really look like winning, finishing a disappointing eighth.

Noel Meade said afterwards: "I didn't think we would be coming to Kilbeggan with him to win but he just went off in the spring. I don't know what happened him but we had to give him time and he's really a chaser in the making.

"He is a nice horse and we gave a lot of money (140,000 pounds) for him after he won a point.

"His owner has had desperate luck lately so I'm delighted to start the new season with a winner. We'll continue on for a little while although I'm not sure he'd run on summer ground."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards fined P.G. Fahey, trainer, E350 for failing to lodge the passport in respect of Welmeetintheoffice, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Welmeetintheoffice.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Thosedaysaregone, trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

D.J. McInerney, rider of Thosedaysaregone trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped poorly.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee