Boskill Borden & Cian Cullinan pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The only four-year-old in the line-up, Boskill Borden upstaged his older rivals in the first divide of the Frank Gillane Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Paul Fahey, the Battle Of Marengo bay was a promising sixth on debut in a bumper at Naas in February and making his debut in handicap company this afternoon, he went off a 6/1 chance.
Settled behind the leaders on the inner by Cian Cullinan, he improved into a share of the lead from four out and gained a narrow advantage on the approach to the penultimate flight.
Soon pressed by a whole host of challengers, he found more when pushed along approaching the last, going on to prevail by a length-and-a-half.
The well-supported Morricone (7/1 from 20s early) wasn't helped by a mistake at the last and he ultimately had to settle for second under Danny Mullins for his mother Mags.
There was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back to Globetrottersivola (10/3) in third, while Maggie Walsh who was sent off the 9/4 favourite, could only manage a disappointing sixth.
"He is only a four-year-old and got a break after he ran here in June. He came back in and is after improving, he is bigger and stronger," Fahey revealed.
"His owner Pat McCarthy is in the north of Spain at the moment enjoying himself. He was just on the phone to me there after watching the race. He is the owner and breeder and breeds a good few horses. He has a nice few horses in training and is based near Maynooth.
"It was a weak race and his homework has always been good enough to win a race. He was sixth in a bumper first time out and when you do that, you are good enough to win a handicap hurdle.
"He is only four so we won't abuse him. If there was a race in Listowel for him, he might go there. I always like to bring a few to Listowel."
