With Barry Geraghty in the plate for the first time Rathpatrick (16/1) produced an impressive change of gear from before the last home to take the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Punchestown.

Indeed if he'd been as fluent as eventual runner-up Oscar Sam at the last, the margin of victory might have been more for the J P McManus-owned and Eoin Griffin-trained victor.

As it was though the Oscar gelding got there in time to prevail by half a length.

The sweet-travelling gambled-on favourite Mall Dini couldn't quicken when required in the straight and he ended up five lengths off the front pair in third.

Griffin explained post race: "He was coming back from a disappointing campaign over fences. He just didn't take to them at all.

"He'd a nice run over hurdles the last day, and seemed to come on from it. He loves heavy ground.

"He won't get into the race at Cheltenham but we'll find something for him."

(AM & EM)