THE HIGHLY regarded Whats The Verdict, one of trainer Aidan O'Brien's four entries for the Citron Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham next month, followed up on his impressive jumping debut at Gowran Park a fortnight ago with a convincing success in the White Sands Catering Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

A well backed 7 to 4 chance, Whats The Verdict emerged as the only serious rival to the much touted Boss Doyle in the betting market, and he was running all over that rival as the pair began to pull clear of the field going to the penultimate flight.

Charlie Swan was in no hurry to get to the front and he waited until landing over the last before sending Whats The Verdict to tackle the even money favourite. Without resorting to the whip, the son of Law Society went on to win by a length, the first two home finishing all of ten lengths clear of the third, Miracle Me, at the line.

O'Brien said of Swan's third winner of the afternoon: "It is very rarely that you see a horse running that free and win. He will go for the two mile novice hurdle at the Festival, as they would not go fast enough for him in the Sun Alliance Hurdle."

O'Brien had earlier saddled Castle Coin to win the Cashel Maiden Hurdle in which Tempo, the gambled on 2 to 5 favourite, led after the third last only to finish a tired fourth behind Swan's first winner.