The Holy One took advantage of a good opportunity to finally open his account under rules in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

The point-to-point winner had shown plenty of promise both in bumpers and over hurdles and was sent off the 8/13 favourite in this 13-runner two-mile event.

Robbie Power elected to make the running on the odds-on shot and, after being headed briefly by Generalisation approaching the straight, kept on well again after the penultimate flight. Stowie Belle came from off the pace on debut to try and thown down a challenge before the last but could make no further headway in the closing stages.

Three lengths separated the pair at the line, with Mason Jar a further six and a half lengths back in third. Generalisation weakened to finish back in fourth.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said, “He had been running in handicaps and had a high rating and this race came up and I realised he was eligible and away we went.

"He hung to the left a fair bit but he has a cut on his joint so it might have been that so we'll try and find another little rated novice hurdle.

"I'm half thinking of going chasing with him after February 1 but we'll see and we'll go wherever we can find a race for him."

Power said, “It wasn’t the greatest race but the change in tactics probably suited him. He’d loads of experience and jumped super.

“He picked up well when headed and won a shade cosy. It’s lovely safe good ground.”

(TW & AM)