Battle Of Midway hung on gamely to land the spoils in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Noel Meade 's charge was sent off 11/8 favourite for the two-and-a-half mile contest and Eoin Walsh bounced out in front on the Gigginstown gelding.

He was joined three from home by Fortune Street but fought off his attentions going to the last.

The eventually winner needed the line close home, however, as Definite Plan stayed on strongly in the closing stages to get within a neck. Annamix easy-to-back from 4/5 out to 6/4, was under pressure when making a mistake two out and could only finish fourth.

Battle Of Midway was dropping back in trip having chased home Zola over three miles at Cork last time.

Meade said:- “It was a very long last furlong! He stays, he loves that soft ground, he jumped well and he gave him a great ride too.

“I suppose he might run again around Christmas. I don’t think three miles would be a problem to him.

“When he went to Cork the last time the ground was too quick and also it was a bit soon after Galway. 

“He’ll be a nice chaser next year and is a nice horse.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)