Stratum made the perfect start to his hurdling career, as he took the opener at Galway, the Galway 2020 Maiden Hurdle.

Previously trained by John Gosden, and successful on the level at Windsor in August of last year, the son of Dansili changed hands for 160,000 guineas at Tattersalls in October.

Sent off the clear 1/2 favourite, the four-year-old victor made all under Ruby Walsh. He was pressed from two out, but asserted when ridden on the run-in, going on to score comfortably by five lengths. Gagas Horse (5/1) came through to take second under Paul Townend for Adrian Maguire, while Youghal By The Sea (11/2) was half a length back in third for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott.

The winner is owned by Tony Bloom, who also has Cheltenham Festival winner Penhill in training with Mullins.