Milborough scores despite long absence

Despite being off the track for 402 days, the Charles Byrnes trained Milborough was sent off the 5/2 joint favourite for the Waterford & Tramore Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle, and he duly obliged under Davy Russell.

The 7yo son of Milan was last seen finishing an unlucky third behind Analyse That at Wexford in November 2011.

Returning to action this afternoon and having just his fourth career start, he raced in mid-division for much of the contest before taking closer order at the fourth last flight.

He was third at the third last and he came with his challenge at the next. He hit the front at the last and was pushed out on the run-in to maintain his advantage and win by two lengths at the line.

The Michael Bowe trained Akatara (11/2) finished second under Martin Burke on her twenty ninth run over hurdles while Golanedge was twenty-seven lengths back in third under Sean Flanagan for Eamonn Sheehy at 20/1.

The other 5/2 joint favourite was the Kevin O'Donnell trained Dubh Go Leir but she could only manage a disappointing fifth under Tom Doyle.

Charles Byrnes said afterwards: "He won it well and he will probably go for a handicap now.

"He has been off the track for a while with pulled muscles in his back. He stays well and I think he will improve from this run."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)