Foildubh justified good support when lowering the colours of odds-on shot Dare To Doubt in the opening www.corkracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The six-year-old gelding, backed from 6/1 in to 4/1, made all under Robbie Colgan but looked sure to be swallowed up when the 4/5 favourite loomed upsides to challenge in the straight.

However John Ryan's charge dug deep to get the jolly off the bridle going to the last, which the winner met on a perfect stride before staying on best to score by two and a half lengths.

The pair stretched 12 lengths clear of Cootamundra in third.

Ryan was represented by his daughter Deirdre who said: “He's a good little horse but has come back with a bit of a cut on his right fore leg. Hopefully he'll come out of this okay, and can win a few more races.”