Martin Ferris lands over the last aboard Drawn N Drank © Photo Healy Racing
The Enda Bolger trained Drawn N Drank relished the testing conditions at Navan as he saw out the 2m 7f trip best in the opening I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle which was run in very foggy conditions.
The 6yo son of Snurge won two point-to-points at Nenagh and Lemonfield in early 2011 before embarking on a career on the racecourse proper.
His first three runs on the track came in Hunter Chases but after disappointing in them he went the maiden hurdle route and performed slightly better in three starts.
Last time out he made his handicap hurdle debut at Down Royal and ran well there to finish just eleven lengths fifth of twenty behind Latin Connection.
Back in maiden company this afternoon he was sent off at 12/1 with Martin Ferris in the saddle.
He was third entering the straight but kept on well under pressure to lead before the last and despite tiring on the run-in he saw it out to score by a length and a half at the line.
The Colin Bowe trained Kashline ran on well to take second under Andrew McNamara at 14/1 while the Gordon Elliott trained Torn Asunder went off the 11/10 favourite under Davy Russell but he could only manage a disappointing third a further eight lengths back.
Enda Bolger, who was recording his sixth winner of the season, said afterwards: "I don't know when the last time I had a winner over hurdles was (in fact his Love Rory won a maiden hurdle at this year's Listowel Festival). This horse broke his knee in a banks race at Punchestown around this time last year.
"He ran well the last day and I thought this trip would suit him. He will probably go for a three mile hurdle around Christmas time and then go chasing."
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
