Lieutenant Mayne got his hurdling career off to the perfect start when making all for a facile victory in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Naas.

The John McConnell-trained gelding won twice in bumpers earlier this year at Musselburgh and Uttoxeter and his task in this 2m3f event was greatly eased by the withdrawal of a number of his main rivals due to the going (officially good to yielding).

The 1/4 favourite put in a superb round of jumping and was in command from two out under Ben Harvey to beat Make Sunshine by 16 lengths with Dunany Point a further 22 lengths adrift in third.

McConnell said, “I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when the more fancied ones came out.

“We fancied him anyway, the form of the Fairyhouse bumper is very good. I shouldn't have run him anyway and he's better than that run.

“We knew he was a nice horse and anything he was doing in bumpers was going to be a bonus.

“He jumps super. We don't know where we're going to end up with him but he's certainly a nice horse for the future.

“We'll go baby steps with him and try to find a novice hurdle, maybe across the water and then step him up in grade.

“The McNeills and Stones owned him last year, he ran in Greg(Stone)'s colours. They are very easy to train for, they leave it all to me. I'm sure they will be delighted watching it.”

Quotes by Gary Carson