< The Hamptons twice a winner on the Flat in sprints, showed a good turn of foot to take the Tote Placepot Races 1 to 6 Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.
Trained by Niall Madden, rider 'Slippers' Madden had his mount handily placed stalking Second Glance and Headly's Bridge and despite not being particularly fluent at the last, he soon picked up and went away.< Fairwood Massini was half a length adrift of the 25-1 winner in second.
Frank Berry, racing manager for winning owner JP McManus, said: "That was great and he jumped great. There was a question about him getting the trip as he didn't even get seven furlongs on the Flat.
"His jumping won it for him, though."
McManus had to settle for second in the following www.thetote.com Maiden Hurdle as 5-4 hotpot Galianna proved no match for runaway winner Michelle's Express who was another for the bookies at 25-1.
Winning trainer Gillian Lee said: "He got his jumping together and Davy (Condon) was great on him, giving him a real confident ride.
"The ease in the ground helped and we're delighted. He might go for a novice hurdle now."
Punters were hit again as the Lorcan Donnelly-trained Old Theatre Royal (12-1) was a very easy winner of the Tote Jackpot Handicap Hurdle, coming home with eight lengths to spare over 5-4 market leader Diamond Shower
Donnelly said: "I fancied him quite a bit. Diamond Shower won at Cork and that day my lad fell when he was still going well. He was a lot better off at the weights today too."
John Kiely's Head Of The Posse (4-6) was a much better result for favourite-backers when landing the www.thetote.com Beginners Chase, giving McManus a double.
Barry Cash gave Diyla (13-2) a perfectly judged front-running ride to take the www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle.
The pair were well clear from some way out and just as it looked like Bonifacio was going to reel him in, Cash's mount found plenty to go on again and score by four lengths.
Favourite Fiery Lord fell at the fourth-last, with Ruby Walsh emerging unscathed but unfortunately the half-
