MICK KINANE, who returned from another successful winter stint in Hong Kong yesterday morning, was successful on his first ride of the new campaign at Clonmel yesterday when he partnered Pegwood to easily land the Tipperary Maiden.
The ten times Irish champion, who won 29 races in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Derby on Che Sara Sara, sent the Dermot Weld trained grey to the front before the turn in and steadily drew clear to win by five and a half lengths.
Afterwards Weld said. "I phoned Michael on Saturday night in Hong Kong and told him I had two runners for him to ride at Clonmel if he felt up to it after the 16 hour journey. He said he would go, so typical of his character, whether it's Happy Valley, Sha Tin or Clonmel."
Kinane's other mount, the well supported Any Dream, could only finish third in the Easter Maiden, won by Angel from Heaven, who held off Premier Project by half a length.
Dublin born Declan Quirke, recorded his third success under rules on the Jim Bolger trained Quill Project, who edged clear of his struggling rivals to score by three lengths.
Beau Cyrano, who scored on the Flat at Tipperary on Saturday, opened his account over jumps in the Moy Insulation Maiden Hurdle for Austin Leahy and rider Timmy O'Sullivan.
