So Near So Farhh (11/1) could be seen travelling well from a long way out in the Baltreacy Handicap Hurdle (Div I) and hit the front before the last.

She went right away to win readily by 8 lengths from Supreme Vinnie (14/1), with Wild Desire (20/1) and Some Can Sing (9/1) completing the placings.

4/1 joint favourite Whereyounow was pulled up early on, and the other 4/1 joint favourite Mezyan (a morning gamble) faded out of contention after the second last.

The winning 5-year-old mare was a useful stayer on the Flat for Mick Channon, winning four times up to as far as 2m1f, and this was a second hurdles win for Colin McBratney's charge having won on winter ground at Down Royal in January.

Winning rider Adam Short said: “I fancied her the last day on her Downpatrick run. She didn’t handle Downpatrick that well but flew home to be third.

“I was riding her down the paint but full credit to Colin (McBratney) as he told me to go a bit wider to see if she would enjoy herself and he was right.

“The race was run to suit as they went so quick. I was a bit far back but it probably suited and from a long way out it was a case of trying not to get there too soon.

“She was decent on the Flat and when she won at Down Royal I thought she was one that was going to go and win three or four. Back to a more galloping track probably helped her.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee