Grace saddles first winner in over 18 years

Tidy Zag made a successful return to action when running out a convincing winner of the bumper at Thurles.

The Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Douneve was well-backed (4/5 in morning into 2/5 favourite) and he took them along in the two-miler.

Tidy Zag joined him going into the home bend and the pair pulled well clear of the field.

Damien Shekan sent his mount to the front turning in and the hotpot had no answer.

The James Grace-trained gelding kept going down the straight and pulled away in good style inside the final furlong to post a six-length success.

The handler is based in Toomevara and was saddling his first winner since Nuala's Pet (the dam of Mick The Man) won in 1993.

"I only renewed my licence a year ago as things are quiet in the business I'm in. I had a licence ten years ago," revealed Grace.

"I own Mick The Man and also have his dam. It's a relief to win with this lad. We've no real plans - today was the plan - but he'll probably go hurdling."

Grace also revealed winning owner Liam Hackett, a builder, couldn't make it to see his charge as he is suffering with the flu.