THE Kilkenny Foxhounds returned to a freshly prepared Tullaherin on Sunday, where a change of direction had been introduced since last year’s inaugural fixture.

Proceedings got off to a flying start in the opening division of the four-year-old mares’ maiden as Alabama Way (5/1 – 6/1) made a winning debut for handler Conor Ryan and the Ballagh Warpiper Syndicate.