Frances Crowley endured a frustrating start to her training career, with three seconds and two thirds from six runners on the opening day of the new National Hunt season at Tralee yesterday. Crowley has taken over from brother-in-law Aidan O'Brien at Piltown.

Drishogue Lad, who landed a massive gamble at Listowel in April 1997, was again the scourge of bookmakers when well-supported at all rates from 8 to 1 down to 7 to 2 favouritism to take the Joseph J Grace Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

The lightly-raced 11-year-old, trained near Clonmel by Noel Brett, led at the third last and was driven out by Tony O'Brien to beat Liathmore Abbey by two lengths.