Tamlough Boy, near side, pips Blow By Blow in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Tamlough Boy narrowly prevailed after a ding-dong battle with Blow By Blow in the final furlong of Punchestown's bumper.
The four-year-old gelding was making his debut for Noel Meade and didn't go unbacked from 11/1 in the morning to an SP of 8/1.
Nina Carberry settled him in rear of mid-division as Cappuccino Man set the pace from even-money-favourite Blow By Blow.
With seven furlongs to race, Tamlough Boy sat closer in seventh. As the horses passed the three pole Tamlough Boy was on the heels of the leaders in fifth.
Blow By Blow was set alight by Patrick Mullins rounding the home turn as he hit the front. Jett on his inside was battling on in a close second but it was Tamlough Boy who was unleashed to challenge the leader at the furlong marker.
Both jockeys were in the drive position with their mounts locked together at the business end of the race but close home Tamlough Boy edged ahead by a neck.
The front two finished five lengths clear of third-placed Jack Dillinger (12/1) with Jett just behind in fourth.
Noel Meade said: "The owner, Jimmy Kernohan (from Co Antrim) has had horses for years and I'm delighted that it looks like he could have a good one. He's one of the nicest owners you could have.
"He was very green and we may give him another run or two in bumpers and then leave him off until next year. He's a gangly type but has a great turn of foot. Every time he works he comes up in front and the good ones are usually like that. I'd say it was a good race."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
