Well-backed 11/4 shot Code Of The West took the two mile maiden hurdle at Listowel after a battle with 25/1 outsider Littletown Lass from the last.
The winner survived a stewards enquiry into possible interference to the runner-up as both horses drifted towards the far rail after the final flight. There were no alterations but winning jockey Tony McCoy received a two-day suspension for careless riding. It was McCoy’s first winner at this year’s festival.
The gelding gave trainer Christy Roche a double on the day after Clarkey won the preceeding race.
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: “Hopefully now we will keep the race. He’s not winning out of turn. He is what he is and will go back over fences.”
Code Of The West was 9/2 in the morning and won by three-parts-of-a-length on his 14th attempt to shed his maiden tag. Masterofthebree (33/1) trained by John Supple was a further three-parts-of-a-length away in third behind Littletown Lass who made the running.
11/10 favourite Duc De Savoie for Dermot Weld and Ruby Walsh disappointed in fourth place. He faded out of contention two out having been prominent throughout.
Michael Graham
