Jackfinbar looks set for a second crack at Ebor glory at York later this month, after making a successful debut over obstacles on the penultimate day of the Galway Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old kept on strongly to justify 11-4 favouritism in the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle, scoring by a length and three-quarters from stablemate Hipop De Loire under Danny Mullins.

Having run well for a long way in last year’s Ebor behind another Closutton inmate in Absurde, Jackfinbar was subsequently cut from 50-1 to 33-1 to claim the valuable York handicap on August 24 by Paddy Power.

Mullins confirmed a trip to the Knavesmire is likely to be on the agenda for not only the winner but also the runner-up.

He said: “Both my horses were nine and seven years of age and were coming off the Flat so wouldn’t have known about hurdling and Jackfinbar was very keen. It is a different pace over jumps, so they had to settle back and think, but both did it nicely.

“It was a pity having to run them against each other but I hadn’t another opportunity to get them out this week and I wanted to run.

“Jackfinbar had two injuries and was too late when he came out to go novice hurdling last year and with the other fellow (Hipop De Loire), I just wanted to wait with him. They are two nice horses.

“The first and second might go to the Ebor in York now – Absurde got beaten here last year and went on and won the Ebor, so these will try and do the same.”

Puppet Master took full advantage of a good opportunity to get off the mark in the BoyleSports Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav Irish EBF Maiden.

Aidan O’Brien’s juvenile was sent off at 1-2 on the back of a promising debut second at Killarney and put in a professional display to oblige by four lengths under Wayne Lordan.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He is a lovely colt who had a lovely run with Jack (Cleary) in Killarney and coming here with a run under your belt really stands to you. He can travel, quicken and will be a lovely middle-distance horse for next year.

“It was Wayne’s first time sitting on him and he was delighted with him and thought he has the makings of a really nice horse. He has a very good attitude and he also has a turn of foot, which is important.

“At the moment, he will be in the mix for the Beresford.”

Flying Bay put in a game front-running display to win the Bathshack Maiden for Andrew Kinirons and Ben Coen at 15-2, just holding on from the fast-finishing Vadali to score by half a length.

Kinirons said: “The lads (owners) are great and have been patient with him. I thought he was a serious horse last year but he got the usual bad scopes and I ran him too fresh on his first run at the Curragh. He was just weak and the New Bays need time.

“I had him entered in the (Irish) 2,000 Guineas last year, so it is hard to give them time when they’re working so well. We held back though, as he is a big baby and got a good education in Killarney when he hit the line well and the form has worked out.

“I’d say there is a lot of improvement in him and Ben was key to him as he had been riding work on him and didn’t get to ride him in a race until the last day.”

Lady O benefitted from having cheek pieces fitted when running out a decisive winner of the Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Nursery Handicap at 100-30 for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.