After winning his bumper on the third attempt at Kilbeggan on his last start, Dr Schultz got off the mark over hurdles on his first try as he took the opener at Downpatrick this afternoon, the Ladies Day At Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Emmett Mullins, trained by his uncle Willie and owned by Willie’s son Patrick, the son of Dr Massini went off the 13/8 second favourite, with Rossvoss for Ted and Ruby Walsh going to post the even money market leader.

Having raced prominently, the five-year-old bay victor travelled best approaching the second last, and he soon hit the front.

He was pushed out to assert after the final flight, coming home an easy eight and a half length winner.

Rossvoss, who was been niggled along a fair way out, kept on well up the hill to take second, while the front-running Sultana Belle (12/1) finished three lengths back in third under Steven Crawford for his brother Stuart.

Emmett Mullins said afterwards: “He is a nice horse and he jumped great for his first time. He missed the third last as he got a bit blinded so I brought him out.

"He was always in control and I’m delighted with him.

"It’s lovely jumping ground out there."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham