First Touch for his backers in Clonmel

First Touch stayed on best to get off the mark in Clonmel's extended two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle.

Donal McInerney switched him out from the rail to lead racing into the final quarter of a mile.

The horse he passed, More Wine Lilly rallied jumping the second last and the pair got involved in a battle on the approach to the final flight.

They were still locked together on the run-in but in the closing stages First Touch edged ahead to win by half a length at 13/2 from 10/1.

Runner-up More Wine Lilly was easy to back at 22/1. Fort William completed the placings, a further four and three quarter lengths back in third at 18/1 (from 25s).

Trainer Liam Burke said: "He ran well enough the last day at Navan when he had a chance jumping the second last but didn't get home.

"He won his point-to-point well on nice-ish ground in the autumn and it obviously suited him better today. Conditions of the race suited him too and he'll go handicapping now."

"He is owned by David Murphy from Fermoy."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes