Trainer Tony Martin and jockey Ruby Walsh combined to win the opening Leopardstown Sports Lounge Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown today with easy winner Quickpick Vic (6/1).

The son of Old Vic quickened up well in the closing stages for a comfortable nine and a half lengths win over Stuccodor Sir Abbot a point-to-point winner making his hurdling debut, flew home for a never nearer third under Tony McCoy.

Afterwards Martin stated “I think he's (Quickpick Vic) very good but it has just taken him a long time to learn and grow up.

“He can be very free but when he put it together at Naas last year he won very well. I probably shouldn't have brought him to Liverpool because mentally he wasn't ready for it.

“He had a nice run at Christmas and benefited a lot from it; he's plenty good enough to be entered up for the novice hurdles.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson