Wingtips at odds of 2/9, was an unlucky loser of the fairyhouse.ie Maiden Hurdle as Blacklough made it two from two for Willie Austin.

Bryan Cooper got held up in his run two out on Wingtips. The Triumph Hurdle fifth wasn't fluent and he was fifth at the last, before staying on strongly under pressure close home to finish an unfortunate neck and a half a length third behind Blacklough and Akatara

Austin trains the Killarney bumper winner for his breeder, Seamus McKeogh and the County Tipperary handler said: "He did it well and he's bound to come on a bit (first run in 178 days). He'll go down the novice route." Austin was also on leading-up duties on this occasion.

Andrew Leigh rode Blacklough and the four-year-old King's Theatre gelding is a full-brother to James Nash's winner, Some Say. (GC & EM)