Grann's Boy and Darragh O Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
Grann's Boy made his previous experience over flights count when proving just too strong for odds-on favourite Tonaghneave Well in the opening Tote Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
Third on his most recent run over jumps at Tramore in April, the Harry Rogers trained gelding had occupied a similar position when reverting to the flat last time at Navan.
Sent off 13/2 here, Darragh O'Keeffe produced his mount from off the pace to go third after two out.
Going second in pursuit of the favourite Tonaghneave Well entering the home straight, the four-year-old led over the last before keeping on strongly for a half-length success.
Harry Rogers said: “He wants slow ground and just got away with that I'd say.
“He's not a bad sort of a horse. He was third in Tramore and was entitled to be there.
“He's an honest horse, he's a fine big horse and will jump a fence in time and he might win a race on the flat again for us.
“They are good owners, they are with me a long time and they've been lucky for me.
“If the ground changed in Galway he might end up there. I have him in two of three Flat races and wouldn't mind running him over two miles if I got soft ground.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
