Tom Taaffe landed a double at Bellewstown when Heaney (11/2) made light of the testing conditions in the three mile handicap hurdle.

He was badly hampered at the sixth when Coole Avenue fell at the seventh, however Paul Townend rode a patient waiting race before closing up three out and leading from before the last.

He ploughed through the soft ground to win by six and a half lengths from Slew Charm (16/1). Liberty Counsel was half a length further back in third at 6/1.

“The experience at Galway stood him in good stead. My horses are fit and well,” Tom Taaffe said.

“Paul showed his experience to creep into the race after the horse fell in front of him.

“He relished it here. He won over two miles seven in Downpatrick which is the same as three miles here.” Duroob running in his 100th race, finished fifth with Adrian Heskin in the saddle.