Conditional jockey David Splaine, son of leading show-jumping rider Robert Splaine, recorded his first winner since returning from injury when guiding Capal Dubh Alainn to any easy 18 lengths win in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Thurles today.

Splaine, who missed most of last season with a broken leg and hadn't ridden a winner for a year, held the son of Kalanisi, up before eventually producing the gelding to lead before the straight, staying on for an easy win.

Afterwards winning trainer Liam O'Brien stated “Capal Dubh Alainn was held up about five or six days by the frost but jumping is the key to him and we'll aim him at another handicap next.”

Capal Dubh Alainn is owned, and bred, by Joe Burke, who was better known in his job as a Cashmans' Bookmakers Representative.