Pino Boy made the breakthrough on his twenty-second start, as he battled gamely to land the Simonstown Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Ann Mooney, the six-year-old son of Scorpion was second at Fairyhouse last month and since finished eighth of twenty when sent off favourite over the course and distance on his most recent start.

Sent off an easy-to-back 14/1 chance this afternoon, the bay gelding was never far off the pace under Liam McKenna.

In a share of the lead from three out, he wasn't fluent at the next and soon dropped to third. However he battled gamely when ridden away from the last, getting up to prevail by half a length in the colours of owner/breeder Patrick Finnegan.

The grey Boogily Lane (28/1) ran a fine race to finish second for Stephen McConville, while Dessie Deschamps (7/2) and Bellaney Gem (5/2f) were a close-up third and fourth.

"That's absolutely brilliant. We were half questioning whether we'd run him because of the ground," said Mooney, wife of former jockey Martin Mooney.

"It worked out great and Liam gave him a perfect ride. He just got boxed in the last day here and couldn't get out.

"He had a wind operation a while ago and it's just taken him a while to get the confidence that he was able to breath again."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed Mr D.J. McConville, rider of Boogily Lane, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr D.J. McConville was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record they suspended him for 1 raceday.

E. Walsh, rider of Nicole's Milan trained by Sean Aherne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle todays going.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson