Longclaw and Jack Kennedy in action© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott's Longclaw defied top weight to bring up his hat-trick of juvenile hurdle victories in Listowel.
His stablemate Duffle Coat was a non runner so Longclaw hardened to 4/7 favourite for this two-mile race. Little Brother took over from front-running At War on the long run to the second last as Longclaw slipstreamed the leader.
The latter grabbed a narrow lead jumping that obstacle and it was Scholastic who soon challenged him as Little Brother gave best.
Longclaw was less than fluent at the last and Scholastic saw an opportunity to really serve it up to him on the run-in, however, Longclaw kept on best close home to score by a short head.
The runner-up went off at 10/3 and she was 11 lengths clear of At War (16/1).
Jack Kennedy said: "The loose horse (Waterville Lady) wasn't doing me any favours as I wanted to kick on but I was afraid the loose horse might carry me out.
"He'll probably be better in a better race with a stronger gallop and he is a nice horse. When the other horse (Scholastic) came to me he pulled out again."
Longclaw had been the wide-margin victor of three-year-old hurdles in Roscommon (where he won his maiden) and Down Royal.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
