Celestial Horizon justified favouritism in the opener at Naas this afternoon when opening his account over hurdles.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding was a solid 11/8 market leader in the two-mile maiden hurdle and tracked the leaders, on the rail, under Mark Walsh.

He jumped up to challenge at the penultimate flight and hit the lead on the run to the last.

The JP McManus-owned son of Galileo galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-half length winning margin. Evergreen And Red got up late on to deny Douglas Dc the runner-up spot.

The winner was dropping back into maiden company having been fifth in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last month.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said:- “He was workmanlike but he got the job done. He liked the bit of nice ground.

“He thinks about it a little bit but the hurdles keep him interested.

“He stays well and we’ll find a handicap for him down the road. He’ll keep going over the summer.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)