Eskylane and Keith Donoghue (right) lead Gabynako over the last© Photo Healy Racing
8/11 favourite Eskylane took the Sherry Fitzgerald Brady Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Keith Donoghue.
The Cheltenham bumper fifth was prominent throughout and travelled and jumped well but found Gabynako (18/1) a persistent challenger and Donoghue had to get serious with his mount close home as he seemed to tire on his seasonal reappearance.
There was just half a length in it at the line, and Gavin Cromwell should have plenty of fun with the runner-up. Barbary Master (9/2) filled third spot another four and a half lengths away.
Paddy Power left the winner unchanged for both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (20/1) and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (25/1).
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: “I’d say he probably wants two and a half miles.
“He’s having a good blow and Keith said he was like our lad in the maiden hurdle yesterday (Wide Receiver) and will come on from the run.
"He was probably idling as well and is a big baby. He has a bit of age but is still raw.
“He’ll step up in grade and could go to Navan for the Monksfield.(Novice Hurdle at Navan in late November) ”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
