Lad gets it right under Burke

Martin Burke produced Stop Road Lad with a well-timed run to land the spoils in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown.

Tim Doyle's charge was held up in the early stages before taking closer order turning for home.

Burke sent his mount up to challenge at the last and the 4/1 shot stayed on well on the run-in to post a half-length verdict over long-time leader Realdealholyfield

7/2 favourite Zigger Zagger who had disputed from the second last, was another half-length back in third.

The winner wasn't winning out of turn having been in the first four on his last four outings.

“He deserved that as he's been running very consistently all summer,” said Doyle.

“Martin gave him a great ride. He took his time and came late as he hasn't really been getting home in his races.

“If the ground stays good he'll go for something similar. He's a horse that wouldn't want soft ground.

“He'll be a grand chaser for next summer. He's a lovely big frame of a horse and even though he's eight-years-old he's still a bit weak.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)