The Leo McMorrow Memorial Handicap Hurdle produced a local success as Sean Airgead took the spoils for his Co Sligo trainer Mark McNiff, with Sligo man Derek Fox aboard.
Sent off the 4/1 favourite the son of Scribano was held up for much of the race but moved into third before the straight. He got a nice run up the inside from there before getting his head in front after the last.
However he had to battled all the way to the line to hold of Shabra Charity (6/1), winning by just three parts of a length at the finish. Claragh Native (11/2) who finished a further half a length back in third for hat-trick seeking jockey Paul Townend, jumped poorly throughout and made a bad mistake at the third last. Had he been more fluent over his hurdles he would have won.
Sean Airgead, which translates to 'Old Money' in English, was recording his second career success, having scored at Perth in May with Derek Fox again on board.
He since finished second at Sedgefield on his next start, before running below par at Listowel, but bounced back over the course last time out to finish a close up third behind Ongenstown Lad, who won again at Roscommon on Tuesday.
Donal Murphy
