The Mark McNiff trained Barron's Lad caused a 25/1 upset when winning the REA Gunne Property Carrickmacross Maiden at Navan today, winning under jockey Conor Hoban.

The winning son of Compton Place came from off the pace before sweeping past Aspar inside the final furlong for a three parts of a length win over that rival.

McNiff is better known as a jumps trainer but was registering his second flat win this season and afterwards Hoban stated “he improved from the first day and had a lovely start (debut) at Tipperary on ground that was very testing. I was glad to hear the track had a few showers here this morning.

“He jumped, travelled and was very professional. Mark (McNiff) has done a great job with him from a small stable and that's two winners I've ridden for him in the space of a couple of weeks.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson