Shane Butler proved a cool head as he scored on First Trim in the opening maiden hurdle at Galway today.

Seamus Fahey 's charge was produced with a well-timed effort to lead at the last and always had too much for 8/11 shot Gratified on the run-in.

"Everybody must have thought we were mad going from five furlongs on the Flat to a two-mile hurdle!" said Fahey.

"He improved a lot from his previous run and Shane Butler gave him a great ride.

"He was always going well and just made one slight mistake down the back. Shane stayed calm when Ruby came to him on the hot favourite.

"We'll see what the handicapper does with him and probably go for a four-year-old handicap in the near future."