Mr Groocock made an impressive winning debut in the concluding bumper at Clonmel.

Patrick Mullins gave the 5/4 joint favourite a confident ride in the two-mile event and he cruised into contention in the straight.

The well backed Crocus Bay (5/1 in morning into 5/4jf) had taken it up over three furlongs out but was a sitting duck from the two pole.

Mullins asked the newcomer to quicken inside the final furlong and he soon settled matters, going on to record an easy eight-and-a-half length success.

"He's a horse that's going to improve and he'll go jumping before too long," said Willie Mullins afterwards.

"He's a summer horse and I was a bit worried coming down here about the ground."

Gary Carson & Alan Magee