Blackmail put Tony Martin at the head of the trainer standings on the four winner mark when landing the opening €100,000 Tote Pick Six Guarantee Maiden Hurdle at Galway under Ruby Walsh.

Providing more joy for owner John Breslin after Busted Tycoon's win last evening, Blackmail was easier to back than many may have anticipated at 5/4 but that didn't stop him from bolting up by twelve lengths from Enchanted Forest

Breslin said: "Tony is the best, the master of them all. This horse jumped very well and Ruby gave him a fantastic ride.

"He's a good horse – last night was good (Busted Tycoon) but today was exceptionally good."

Martin explained: "He was very good. He boiled over at Cheltenham and probably shouldn't have been in Punchestown after that.

"He's not over-big but what he is is very agile and nimble. You'd like he's a horse that'll be going to Cheltenham again next March."

Ruby Walsh's summation went as follows: "It was softer than ideal for him but he jumped exceptionally well and he was very professional.

"He won like a good horse. It was testing for the time of year but that soft and a soft you'll get in the winter are two different goings.

"This is a big issue that the Turf Club need to look at."

Second two in the market here, Some Article and Pumbaa weren't going to be a factor from before starting down the hill.

Unfortunately we lost two horses in this contest, a puller up and a faller, Scienter and Vinnies Son (TW & EM)