The Jonathan Sweeney trained Champagne Pat showed the benefit of three previous hurdle outings when winning the opening www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Gowran today, scoring in thick fog, under jockey Ambrose McCurtain.

The 10/1 shot made virtually all the running and in the end held on to beat Skeaping by two lengths with three back to third placed Niven having been hampered at the final flight by a loose horse.

Following the race, Sweeney stated “he’s tough and Ambrose knows him well and gave him a super ride. He deserved that.

"It is probably best to put a line through the run at Punchestown as they didn't go fast enough early, and he didn't even have a blow after it.

"It's good to get that win and we'll have to have a think now about where we go next."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee