Slane Hill has Yeah Man, right, beaten in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
Ben Harvey, who recently turned conditional, came in for a winning ride on Slane Hill in the Thank You Paul Quish Maiden Hurdle.
The pilot replaced the injured Michael O'Sullivan and steered his mount to challenge strong travelling 6/4 favourite Yeah Man in the final couple of furlongs.
Slane Hill Hill soon came under the whip behind Yeah Man who was still seemingly moving powerfully for Keith Donoghue.
The race changed inside the furlong pole, though, as Slane Hill really knuckled down to his task and headed a now under-pressure Yeah Man.
The new leader was driven out to win by three quarters of a length at 4/1. Yeah Man had to settle for the runner-up berth but was 16 lengths clear of Langdale Lane (12/1).
Trainer Barry Connell said: "Those unplaced maidens are great for horses that are not going to be top drawer. We gave him three runs and he was a bit babyish there at the end and I wasn’t sure if he was going to go by the other horse who had plenty of experience.
“He stuck at it well and you would imagine there will be a bit of improvement to come. The first two pulled well clear.
“He’s a big, tall Shantou horse and I’d say we won’t delay him too long over hurdles. We’ll see what kind of mark we get.
“He has the scope for fences.
“That’s Ben’s first winner as a professional. He’s a good horseman.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
