Tangled Web was going to win the opening Connacht Telegraph Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe from quite some way out but he gave his connections and supporters a fright with a last flight mistake.

The scare was only a brief one though as David Casey soon had the bumper winning son of Flemensfirth back on an even keen and he went on to defeat Phillys Fancy by three lengths.

Charlie Swan trains the victor for J P McManus and the winning handler explained: "He has plenty of pace but he can run a little keen and he's not the easiest of rides. The good gallop suited there.

"He'll go somewhere when the ground is safe – a winners of one or a handicap."

The ground was safe here but we still unfortunately lost the favourite, Eligible beaten at the time when pulling up with fatal injury turning in.

Tangled Web saw one of his main rivals, Balboni depart with a fall at the third. (TW & EM)