Both Supreme Steel and Cillin Leonard opened their accounts when taking the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Pat Fahy 's charge travelled well into contention turning for home in the 2m7f contest and hit the lead jumping the second last, under Leonard. Fire On soon threw down a challenge but couldn't peg back Supreme Steel, who stayed on well on the run-in to record a length-and-a-quarter success in first time blinkers.

The 7/1 winner had been runner-up twice before the turn of the year but was enjoying better fortune today having unseated on his penultimate start and finished mid-division last month at Fairyhouse.

"When I arrived here I thought the ground would be gone but when I saw how tacky it was, I thought we had a chance. I doubt he'll run during the summer as he's had a hard year," said Fahy.

"He used to back off horses and took a long time to get him to concentrate.

"We were all more worried about Cillin getting off the mark than the horse and they are great owners to support him - young lads need that and they were more worried about getting him his winner than the horse!"

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)