Feud – a Dubawi half-brother to Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel – ran out an impressive winner of the Galmont Hotel & The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle, the opening race of the big festival.

Formerly trained by Ralph Beckett, the four-year-old is now in the care of Richard O’Brien.

Last of 16 on his only run on the level for new connections, he took to hurdling like a duck to water when making a winning debut at Listowel last month.

In much deeper waters on this occasion and up against a Willie Mullins-trained favourite in Sysko, Feud (16-5), ridden by Danny Mullins, swept wide off the bend and powered away from Mordor to win by three and a half lengths.

“I was saying to Danny afterwards that it’s quite intriguing going forward as to what way he can go because that was quite impressive,” said O’Brien.

“The nerves beforehand, it wouldn’t matter if it was a bumper in Ballinrobe I’d be under pressure. The last 48 hours have been hell, but we’re here and we’re through it.

“I loved the way he did it and I loved the way he jumped. He was a bit fumbly and made a few mistakes in Listowel. I thought that might be still in him a bit, but he was very clever.

“He jumped some of them beautifully and the ones he didn’t he just kicked them out of the way and never missed a beat. He’s a very interesting horse going forward.

“I’m delighted for the lads, it’s important to emphasise the importance of them to me. I’ve never got a chance to buy a horse like this.

“We’ll explore his ceiling over hurdles and if it’s a case that he comes back to being a lovely dual-purpose horse we’ll see. I’m not thinking about that, we’ll go home and make a plan.

“Beforehand I said we’re either going to Listowel for the Lartigue or else the Royal Bond. The dream has come true, for now.”

Hot favourite Truth Be Told had to settle for fourth place in the Eventus Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden, as the Aidan O’Brien-trained Rock Of Cashel recorded an all-the-way victory.

The 3-1 winner had Winston Junior for company before Wayne Lordan put his foot down approaching the straight. He was really impressive from there, but in contrast it was always looking hard work for Dermot Weld’s Truth Be Told.

Only eighth first time out, Rock Of Cashel is bred to be smart, being a half-brother to dual Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Snowfall.

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “He was just very babyish the first day and in fairness he’s come forward from it.

“He’s still quite babyish, but he’s going to be lovely horse in time, he’s still putting it all together.

“We might look at something like the Futurity for him, some of those nice races.

“Wayne was very happy with him and he thought he’d come forward nicely from the last day. There is still plenty more to come.

“We’ll step him up into Group company and see where he fits in with the rest of them.”