Jake Peter clears the last Phillip Enright © Photo Healy Racing
Bridging a gap of nearly six years since his sole previous win over flights, Jake Peter readily accounted for nine rivals in the William Hill Proper Pricing Handicap Hurdle.
A versatile performer and a five-time winner on the level, the Mark Cahill-trained 10-year-old was last seen finishing fifth of 16 at Listowel.
Owned and bred by Frank McNulty, the 100-rated bay tracked the leaders under Phillip Enright, getting a dream run through on the inner to lead approaching the last.
Ridden on the run-in, he increased his advantage and came home three and three quarters of a length to the good.
Well-supported from 33s to 14/1, Pro Bono finished second under Cian Cullinan for Patrick Hayes, while Sayitfirst (7/1), who was prominent throughout, was a neck back in third.
Returned the 11/4 favourite, Mount Anglesby found little for pressure in the straight and finished a disappointing sixth.
"Mark Cahill does a great job with him. In fairness every day he runs his race and just seems to find one too good so it’s great to get him over the line," Enright commented.
"Frank McNulty is a brilliant man for racing. He loves his racing and there is never any up or down with him no matter where you finish. It's great to ride a winner for him.
"I thought he just got a bit bogged down in the ground at Listowel and when I saw the ground here today, I knew he'd run a big race. He wears his heart on his sleeve.
"I was in a bit of a pocket and when the gap opened, I was travelling well enough to fill the gap. That's the bit of Flat speed that he's got. He's a ten-year-old and still tries his heart out."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
