Perry Owens came home strongest, in the first-time blinkers, to collar Sideshift in the 3YO maiden hurdle on Galway's card.

Sideshift had gone for home but Perry Owens ran on well up the hill and got to grips with him in the closing stages to win by a length and a half for Noel Meade.

The winner went off 9/4 favourite having been backed in from 3/1. Runner-up Sideshift drifted out to 6/1 and was three and three quarter lengths ahead of third-placed Bigz Belief (4/1).

Jockey Sean Flanagan said: "We didn't go a mad gallop and he has probably jumped better today when he had a bit of light and has really handled the ground. He jumped well, the heavy ground was key to him and he could go further in time.

"He had blinkers on today but is genuine and is just one of those lads who doesn't concentrate much."

Perry Owens had one previous crack at hurdling when a close third at Ballinrobe in August.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes