Typical Thomas put a couple of modest efforts in bumpers last winter well behind him when causing a 20/1 surprise on his jumping debut in the Cosy Roof (C&G) Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

The Dylan Thomas gelding, a half-brother to three winners including Nell’s Well, was reappearing here after a near seven months break and made most of the running under Peter Smithers.

James Fahey ’s charge was pressed at the final flight but kept on well up the closing hill to beat Starzov by a-length-and-a-half with Ask Charlie a further three lengths back in third.

Smithers, from Monasterevin in Co. Kildare, was partnering his second winner having opened his account aboard Outside the Door at Wexford last month.

Fahey said, "We fancied him a bit today. I think he was 100/1 last night, the boys got a few quid on him at 66s so they are happy.

"He was idling a bit but he is a nice horse. He was bought to be sold. He let us down the first couple of runs, but at least he has shown what he can do. Maybe there is a customer for him somewhere.

"I actually told him (Peter Smithers) 'don't go to the front on him' because he can be a bit lairy but there was nothing he could do as he was just running too keen with him.

"His work had been very good and he let me down twice in two bumpers. He actually won a schooling bumper very, very well one day.

"My horses were just running terrible from December, January and February time - he ran twice and totally let us down.

"He did a nice piece of work about three weeks ago with a mare we won a bumper with in Wexford (Hazelhatch Lady) and another mare who fell at the second last here (Glendars Mahler) and he was bang there with them, so it gave him a chance.

"He is a good-ground horse so if he is not sold, he will keep tipping on through the summer."

Quotes by Michael Graham