Triple hurdle-winner Eight And Bob reverted to the Flat and exploited a mark of 55 in division one of the Visit Tipperary Handicap for Willie Mullins.

The 6/4 favourite began to make headway for Colin Keane passing the three pole in this extended mile and a half handicap and tacked over to the stands' side in pursuit of Walkabout (7/1) in the final quarter of a mile.

He challenged the leader at the furlong pole and came through to head him inside the final 100 yards. There was three parts of a length between them at the line. Linger (5/2) was four lengths away in third with 25/1 shot Steelyeyed completing the placings in fourth.

Colin Keane said: "I owed him that one as I fell off him at Navan last year and it was the last day I rode him and it was great to get his head back in front today.

"Declan (McDonogh, on Walkabout) nicked a few lengths early in the home straight and I wasn't confident I'd pick him up. It took my lad the full length of the straight to get going but he was well on top at the end."

"When he starts stepping up in trip he's a horse they'll have plenty fun with."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes