Mark Walsh got Successor s head in front on the line to claim the opening Audrey McGrath Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding travelled well into contention turning for home in the two-miler but Diego Manchego looked like he might hold on from the last when the JP McManus horse came under pressure.

Walsh conjured a late charge from his mount, who carried his head highly, and he just got the verdict by a short-head at the post.

The 4/1 winner had shown improvement over hurdles last time when chasing home Nellie Pledge at Sligo.

"I didn't know whether he'd got up. It was on the bob and it looked like he put his head down at the right time,” said Walsh afterwards.

“The first time tongue strap was a help and the good ground helped him too. He is rated 112 so he is entitled to win a race like that. He is rated 82 on the Flat I think so he wasn't winning out of turn."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)