Touched off over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last month, the 4/1 joint second-favourite Wee Charlie took the marked drop in trip in his stride when landing the handicap hurdle over an extended 1m7f.

Darragh O'Keeffe 's mount was never far from the pace, led travelling well two out and readily went a few lengths clear early on the run-in. He just needed to be kept up to his work in the final 100 yards as Dragon's Pass reduced the margin to three parts of a length at the line.

Winning trainer Tom Gibney said: “He was just beaten the last day in Fairyhouse and it’s worked out well today. He’s improving and hopefully he can win another one.

“You would think he was going to win comfortable and we were hanging on by the skin of our teeth at the end.

“I’m delighted for Damien (Conway, owner) as he’s a good supporter of ours and he had a bit of bad luck with another horse recently.”

Quotes from Alan Magee