There was a bit of money about for him this morning but Silk Hall eventually went off a 25/1 chance (paid 60/1 on the Tote) for the London Southend Airport European Breeders Fund Handicap, a price he defied by a length and a quarter under Chris Hayes.

The Emirates-bred son of Halling led early in the straight and he was soon ridden to assert. He had a reduced advantage in the closing stages but held on to score.

Winning trainer James Lambe, enjoying his first Curragh success, said: "He was left too much to do in Killarney last time. He was a very very good horse for Alan King and he chased home Starluck over hurdles as a four-year-old.

"He was fifth in a very good hurdle at Aintree with Riverside Theatre and Somersby around him. He was a very good horse as a four-year-old when he was rated 147.

"We knew what we had after Killarney.

"He'll go for the GPT (the amateur handicap on the Monday night at Galway) now and that should leave him spot on for it.

"He will improve as he hasn't been drove at home. I told Chris that he'd gallop and was laden with stamina.

"For a jumps trainer from the North it is great to come to the Curragh and get a winner."