As a son of Tiraaz (responsible for Tazbar and lots more jumping winners) and Coppenagh Girl (winner of two hurdles and a chase) high-class bumper horse Zaarito will be expected to excel over obstacles and though beaten he made a perfectly satisfactory hurdling bow in the Irish Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle.

When brought to challenge in the straight, the 5/4 favourite's jumping was good and when leader Oscar Looby crashed through the last, the race was very much up for grabs. Zaarito came home well but he couldn't quite reel in Oscar Looby, who held on by a short head.

Zaarito's trainer, Colm Murphy said: "He ran a blinder, I'm just disappointed that he got beaten. His jumping can only improve, Matt (O'Connor) said he nearly got brought down twice. With that run under his belt he should come on a lot for it. Hopefully he'll win his maiden and go on from there."

Meanwhile Noel Meade, trainer of the Paul Carberry-ridden winner was an absentee owing to back trouble. (EM)