Dundrum Lad and Jody McGarvey pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Dundrum Lad, who is a half-brother to ill-fated Grade 1 winner Backspin, stayed on best to win the Harrington Concrete And Quarries Handicap Hurdle.
Successful over fences at Tipperary last summer, the son of Westerner disappointed on his next two starts.
Making his seasonal debut this evening, the Mags Mullins trained seven-year-old was sent off at 6/1 in the colours of JP McManus.
Settled in mid-division by Jody McGarvey, he took closer order before two out, and came with his challenge on the outer on the run to the last.
He was ridden to lead on the run-in, and kept on well to score by two and a quarter lengths. Broughtons Star who was sent off the 4/1 favourite, kept on to take second under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott, while Animatter (13/2) was a neck back in third for Ambrose McCurtin and Donnacha Duggan.
"I loved him as a point-to-pointer. The trip there might have been a bit short but I had him in it because it was his first run back for a while," said Ms Mullins.
"I'm delighted with him. We'll see what the boys want to do now and see where we go from here but I'm delighted with that anyway.
"He got a lovely ride and it's lovely to get a winner. Jody is riding well."
STEWARDS REPORT
P. Townend, rider of Mountain Kingdom trained by C.A.McBratney, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was left at the start and lost ground.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
