Stormalong and John Shinnick fly over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Stormalong justified 11/4 favouritism as she comfortably accounted for nine rivals in the Derrinlaur Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Ending a lengthy losing streak at Tramore in August, the Ken Budds-trained six-year-old finished third in two starts since, going down narrowly when last seen at Listowel.
Back up in trip to two and a half miles this afternoon, the market leader raced in mid-division under John Shinnick, with Evening's Empire soon establishing a healthy advantage at the head of affairs.
The complexion of the race changed when the front-runner ran out going by the entrance to the parade ring, with the eventual winner improving to the front on the approach to the straight.
Owned by Barbara Kirby Coleman and her husband Ed, she readily increased her advantage before the final flight and a brilliant jump there sealed the deal.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Wudya (8/1) was six-lengths back in second, while Cruisin Susan (17/2) was another two and three quarters of a length away in third.
"They didn't go quick enough at Listowel when she got caught back and wide so she had to do it the hard way, and after the line she was in front. She had top weight today but she stays and is improving," Budds remarked.
"She finished second in this race last year but the ground had gone soft. She has got her ground plenty of times this year and will go chasing next year.
"If the ground goes, we will let her off but I wouldn't rule out going to Dundalk as she ran well in a recent Flat race and isn't slow."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
