The Christy Roche trained Sea Rocket landed a gamble in the opener at Downpatrick, the Lazy Sunday Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Alan Crowe, the twice raced daughter of Shantou opened at 9/1 this morning with Paddy Power, but that price was gone quickly and she opened on-course at just 4s.

She came in for further support trackside, and went off the 11/4 second choice of punters.

Approaching two out she travelled best in second, hitting the front before the last, asserting on the level to come home an easy seventeen length winner. I Had Your Man ran a nice race on her debut to take second at 25/1 under Ian McCarthy for Harry Kelly, while Overnova was two and a half lengths back in third under Andrew McNamara at 10/1. Over Church Road was sent off the 13/8 favourite for Andrew Lynch and Brian Hamilton, but she could only manage a disappointing fourth.

Alan Crowe said afterwards: "She is small but very tough. She was quick over the hurdles and it was probably a weak enough race.

"I have to say the track have done a brilliant job at watering. It is lovely jumping ground out there."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham