Pat Hughes' name finally came off the cold trainers list as the Bagenalstown veteran saddled his first winner for nearly two years when Prince Of Forwards recorded a shock 25/1 victory in the Leugh Handicap Hurdle.
The Co. Carlow trainer recorded many big race successes in the 1980's and 90's but has suffered some lean times in recent years, and indeed it was Prince Of Forwards who provided his last winner when taking a maiden hurdle at Limerick in March 2010.
The application of cheek-pieces were pin-pointed by Hughes as an explanation for the improvement in form as Alan Crowe produced the eight-year-old to lead two out.
The Sonus gelding asserted before the final flight to beat Beckett Rock (13/2) by seven and a half lengths, with Tally Em Up (25/1) another three and three quarter lengths adrift in third.
Hughes said, “I've had no National Hunt runners since last May apart from this horse, although I've a few bumper horses ready to run this year.
“He dropped himself out at Navan the last day before running on a bit, and we decided to put cheek-pieces on him. They worked at home but I wasn't sure if they would work here or not. You couldn't back him on that ground.”
