Many punters have long since given up on Holly Tree but on his twelfth try over the larger obstacles with David Casey on his back for the first time, the 8/1 shot made the breakthrough in the chasing arena in the Athleague Beginners Chase.

Getting to the front before the last, the 133-rated hurdler pulled out enough to prevail by one and a quarter lengths over the gallant mare, Cellar Door The win was a welcome one for the trainer, Eamonn 'Dusty' Sheehy, his first since Florrie's Boy scored at Clonmel in mid-June.

He said, "That was not before time and ten out of ten to Ruby (Walsh) who rode him last time at Ballinrobe and said we should step him up in trip. The soft ground was a help to him too and he'll go for a handicap or a winners race now." (EM)