Ballywilliam Boy made every yard in the hands of Darragh O'Keeffe in Galway's novice hurdle.

The 9/4 shot had his three rivals on his heels two out but once that flight was negotiated O'Keeffe pressed go and the response was immediate.

The six-year-old gelding readily asserted and has the field cooked by the last. He popped it well and kept on to win by five lengths from Perfect Attitude

Michael Hourigan said: "I had disease in my hay and couldn't understand how he got beaten at Limerick. He was cruising turning-in at Limerick, like today, but didn't get home.

"He'll probably go to Mallow for a Grade 3 novice hurdle at the weekend. Today's race was like a piece of work and he'll go on any ground.

"My owner is anxious to go chasing but I don't know if that'll happen because he is a novice hurdler until the end of November. We could go chasing in December, or later, maybe next season. I should probably keep his for chasing next season."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes