Donkey Years and Mark Walsh © Photo Healy Racing
Having lost his way over fences of late, the Eric McNamara trained Donkey Years exploited a lenient mark over flights when easily winning the Devon Inn Dan Sheehan Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.
A former Grade B winner over fences, the 10-year-old had been out of form over the larger obstacles for the best part of two years.
However, having reverted to hurdles earlier this season, the JP McManus owned gelding reached the frame on a couple of occasions prior to disappointing on his last two starts.
Right back to form here, the son of Robin Des Champs exploited a hurdles mark some 12lb below his chase rating.
Travelling easily throughout the contest, jockey Mark Walsh moved up to challenge leader Coole Cherry entering the straight. Despite an untidy jump two out, Donkey Years recovered to lead at the last, where he was again less than fluent.
Staying on well from the back of the last, Donkey Years went clear on the run-in to score by two-and-a-half lengths.
“We're delighted with that. He's been a good servant over the years and he's so much better handicapped over hurdles than fences so it was nice to get one with him,” said Eric McNamara.
“He had promised a couple of times when he was placed but he was just very disappointing the last day.
“It's good that he's back and showed a nice bit of sparkle there. Mark said he was even keen at one or two points in the race.
“It's great to have a winner in those colours.
“I'd like to have one crack at the Munster National with him. Maybe before today I might have struggled to be allowed to enter him but he will be entered in it now, that's for certain.
“He doesn't want it too soft because his wind is not the best. If it was any softer we would have thought about pulling him out. It's summer soft, lovely ground.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
