A maximum field of 24 lined up for the two-mile maiden hurdle at Cork but it appeared to boil down to a match between Shield and Ashjar if the betting could be believed beforehand, and it was the former who came out on top.

Previously successful in a Leopardstown bumper and a two-mile maiden on the Polytrack at Dundalk, the Aidan O’Brien-trained gelding was produced to challenge at the final flight.

Robbie Power secured a fine leap at the last from the son of Dylan Thomas, and soon reeled in Fruits Of Molly on the run-in to record a three lengths verdict and justify 5/4 favouritism.

Ashjar was let down by his jumping at the final two hurdles and finished a further three and three quarter lengths back in third.

JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said, “He jumped well and appreciated the better ground. He did everything right and will be kept on the go. He might jump a fence later in the year.”

(TW & AM)