Rae's looks a natural

The betting indicated that course winner Rae's Creek (6/5) was fancied to take the Paddy Smyth Memorial Maiden Hurdle at the first time of asking over flights. The chestnut certainly didn't disappoint his connections and supporters at Ballinrobe.

Again equipped with a hood, Rae's Creek looked a natural at his new job. Never far away he jumped fluently for Mark Walsh and took it up from two out.

The J P McManus-owned New Approach gelding was soon in total control and ended up beating the 20/1 chance Urtheoneiwant by nine and a half lengths. Second favourite Elishpour was ten lengths further back in third.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said: "We're just glad to get that out of the way. He did everything right – settling and jumping great. He jumped super really and the ground (yielding) was perfect for him.

"I don't know about plans – he might go to Galway or he might wait. I think there's a winners four-year-old hurdle back here later on and he might go for that.

"He couldn't do any more than he did today. He was very relaxed and Mark said the only time he took a hold was going to the start." (DM & EM)