Ennemi Public justified odds-on support in the Industry Fundraiser For Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin In Memory Of Pat Smullen Maiden Hurdle but only after giving his backers a major sweat in the Tramore opener.

Jack Kennedy was hard at work on the well-backed 10/11 favourite as Cavallino jumped to the front at the penultimate flight, and the latter still held a narrow advantage when making a bad mistake at the last.

Ennemi Public too full advantage of his rivals misfortune, and the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding stayed on well to prevail by two and three quarter lengths.

The always prominent Mercury Lane just pipped Cavallino for the runner-up spot.

The Gigginstown-owned six-year-old was certainly not winning out of turn having been in the money on all seven previous outings in maiden hurdles including when headed close home last time at Clonmel.

Kennedy said, "It's nice for him to get his head in front. We went a good gallop and he was doing his best work at the end. I was grinding him (Cavallino) down slowly but surely and I was confident I was going to get him."

(AM & DM)