Way Back Home galloped his rivals into submission to land the opening maiden hurdle this afternoon at Fairyhouse.

The Padraig Roche-trained gelding was backed from 5/2 into 7/4 for the two-mile contest and didn't let down his supporters.

Having taken up a front-running role he appeared to lose his action after the first flight but soon recovered.

The Power gelding was a clear leader again before halfway under Mark Walsh and skipped clear of his rivals after the second last, staying on powerfully in the closing stages for a seven-length win. Volatile Lady came through to chase him home with 6/5 favourite Andalusa fading after an error at the second last.

Roche said afterwards:- “I’m delighted for the owners Peter and Aidan (Comerford). They are good friends of dad and were nice enough to leave this horse with me.

“He was very disappointing on the Flat, and he ran so bad in Listowel that the following morning I put him over about 15 hurdles and he seemed to take to them well.

“He’s done that well and there is a Grade 3 here on Saturday week that I might stick him in. It might be a bit out of his league but we’ll see how he goes and see what the owners would like to do.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)