Clever Currency dominant off the front© Photo Healy Racing
Clever Currency made all and kept up the gallop to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle in Leopardstown.
Ben Kennedy sent him on from flagfall with Monoxide attempting to keep him in close attendance.
The six-year-old gelding had all bar Razdan cooked on the long approach to the final flight. Briefly, it looked like Razdan was going to be a major threat, however, he began to run on the spot before the last.
Clever Currency clipped the top of it, but got away well and sailed in by eight lengths at 14/1 from 20s.
Razdan held on to second at 8/1 and was a length and a quarter in front of 10/3 favourite Firstman
Trainer Paul Flynn said: "He had his wind done at Christmas and maybe needed the run the last day after the break.
“He didn't run a bad race last time and Ben got to know him there. The plan was to come here and he probably came on a bit from the last day.
“It's great to see him winning and the syndicate (Force Fifteen), which includes my sister Rebecca, have had plenty of faith in him.
“He was rated 117 as a four-year-old, he was too high, and he was only getting dropped a pound the whole time. He's rated 105 over fences.
“He'll actually be better around tighter tracks, I was a bit worried about here but in fairness he gave him a great ride. He was left alone and he obviously didn't go too quick.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
