It Could Be You was patiently-ridden by David Mullins and got into contention running downhill towards the second-last in the Connolly’s Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

He had moved into a close second and was ready to challenge when the leader, Feelgood Island crumpled on landing at that flight and from there the grey son of Carlotamix stayed on well to beat market principals Petitbonome (10/11 fav) and Gelee Blanche (11/4) by six lengths and a head.

The successful 6-year-old, owned by the winning rider's mother Helen, had been promoted to first, after suffering significant interference, in a bumper at Fairyhouse last month and was getting off the mark on his fourth start over hurdles.

Winning trainer Tom Mulllins said: "He is getting older and stronger and I absolutely couldn't believe his price this morning (as big as 28/1 in places, returned 17/2) - I'm going to be a bookie one of these days!

"David (Mullins) drops horses out a bit in certain races and that's his style of riding and he was good on him. He couldn't go with them up the hill and he just sat and suffered and they came back to him in the straight.

"He is qualified for next spring's Final, there's no doubt he wants 2m4f and he has a staying pedigree."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes