Danny Mullins gets the champagne flowing after Ferdia's win in the opener© Photo Healy Racing
Ferdia made the breakthrough over fences as he claimed a dramatic opener at Tramore, the EY Chase.
A dual winner over flights and successful here in July of last year, the John Ryan-trained six-year-old was last seen finishing a good third to Vado Forte at the Galway Festival.
Sent off at 4/1 this evening, the outsider of the field, the son of Dylan Thomas raced towards rear on the outer, taking closer order from three out.
He came with his challenge approaching the next and was soon left in a clear lead with Barcadys (3/1) falling, slightly hampering Tullybeg (10/3) who then unseated. Popong who was sent off the 6/4 favourite, was struggling in rear from two out and finished two-and-a-half lengths off the winner.
"I'd say he would have won anyway, Danny said he was still fairly happy. You'd never know but he came there travelling best," Ryan said.
"We stepped him up in trip now and it's worked. I thought he was a two-miler but we've stepped him up to two five and it's worked.
"He wants good ground. He'll go for something at Killarney now, he is a lovely horse to have in training.
"He is a half-brother to Presenting Bonnie and Bonarc, while his full-sister Another Bonnie runs later on and she might win too."
