The opening Thomastown Maiden Hurdle at Gowran today went to the Henry De Bromhead trained Absolutelyfantastic which maintained his unbeaten run with a good debut hurdle success, under stable jockey Andrew Lynch.

The son of Alhaarth made all, and while he looked a little green early on, comfortably held the challenge of Scots Gaelic on the run-in.

Afterwards De Bromhead said “Absolutelyfantastic had to do it the hard way.There was no pace but he’s a speedy fellow and he’s a horse on the way up.

“He will now either go for a novice hurdle at the Cheltenham in November, a race won by Loosen My Load in the past and a festival which his owners as Alan & Ann Potts like, or else a four year olds race in Ireland.”

Thomas Weekes