Shady Operator justified odds-on favouritism in the opener at Cork, the Paddy Power Betting Shops Maiden Hurdle.

Successful on debut in a bumper at Limerick in March, the Joseph O'Brien trained gelding since finished second to Cracking Smart on his debut over flights at Punchestown last month.

Expected to go one place better here, the son of Court Cave was sent off the 4/5 market leader with Barry Geraghty in the saddle.

Settled behind the leaders, the JP McManus owned gelding improved into a closer third on the entrance to the straight.

He came with his challenge from the second last, and led before the final flight, drawing clear on the run-in to score by a comfortable three and a half lengths.

The front-running Castlebrook who drifted from 11/4 to 4s on-course, finished second under Robbie Power for Jimmy Mangan, while Daybreak Boy 7s to 5s on-course, was another length and three parts back in third with Andrew Lynch aboard for Henry De Bromhead.

The winning rider said afterwards: "It was a weaker race than at Punchestown the last day and he's a grand horse.

"He did it well and gave me a good ride and while it is a big step from maiden to graded company, you'd hope he could make the step up."

STEWARDS REPORTS

M.A. Enright, rider of Triangle Rock trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen.

D.J. McInerney, rider of Giveittomestraight trained by E. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not jump well.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes