Say It Again provided a 25/1 shock when making all under Andrew McNamara in the Sean Graham Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.

Placed as a four-year-old in a point-to-point at Tattersalls Farm, the Noel Hynds-trained gelding seemed to appreciate a change in tactics here as he stepped up on four previous outings under rules.

Evens favourite Leavethelighton was under pressure about two lengths down when appearing to lose his footing for a few strides after the penultimate flight.

However Say It Again stayed on really well and McNamara could afford to take things easy in the closing stages to come home four and a quarter lengths ahead of the ‘jolly’. Shuilamach was a further nine lengths away in third.

McNamara said, “It was a surprise to me although I don’t think Noel was too surprised. Noel told me to ride him handy and said he’d jump well. He said if I sent him on early he’d stay well. So it all worked out just like he said.

“I was always happy and everything was very easy to him on the soft ground.”