The John & Pat Rochford Memorial Maiden Hurdle appeared a two horse race on paper and so it proved, with Sherodan making all under Sean Flanagan.

His market rival, Four Clean Aces (11/10), raced in a close second before she crashed out three flights from home.

This left the Peter Fahey-trained victor in a clear lead, which he extended away from the last, coming home 11 lengths to the good in the colours of Peter & Sandra McCarthy.

Outsider The Vegas Raider (150/1) filled the runner-up spot under Alan King, while Verbal Sparing (33/1) was a neck away in third.

"We decided there was no point in trying to switch him off in this race today because he can be a little bit keen-going, so Sean tipped away and kept it simple," Fahey said.

"It was unfortunate to see Willie's mare fall but she got up and galloped away the finest.

"He'll go to Listowel for a valuable handicap hurdle and he might have a run on the Flat beforehand, we've a bit of time until Listowel and we'll see how things are.

"He's done nothing wrong in his career, he got a small injury after getting beat in a winners' bumper at Killarney, but everything he's done since then has been very good and he's a horse that will improve away more for us."

STEWARDS REPORT

D.E. Mullins, rider of Granpa Ger trained by Anthony Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran green in the early part of this race.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan