Winning trainer Michael McDonagh gave some idea as to why it's taken Black Zero a while to slip into the winning groove, when he said post race at Thurles, "his problem is that he's too keen and he can be quite hyper." The Clare man had just watched Jonathan Burke bring home the favourite in the opening Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.

Burke, aboard the Blueprint six-year-old for the first time, got a grand tune from his mount in an incident packed two and a quarter miler.

The 7/4 market-leader travelled and jumped and one of his last main threats, Ballyadam Approach came to grief two out when still in with every chance.

It was looking good from there home for Black Zero, as he then had to get the better of the long-standing maiden, 16/1 chance, Killtilane Rose a feat he accomplished by a convincing four lengths.

"He jumped good. He's in at Limerick now on St Stephen's Day (next Friday) and if he comes out of this okay he'll go there. If he's not we'll have to wait," further revealed owner/trainer McDonagh. (TW & EM)