Lieutenant Highway © Photo Healy Racing
Just three lined up for the Castlerea Novice Chase and Lieutenant Highway (11/8) made all the running to win readily.
Trained by Gordon Elliott for Michael Hanrahan, the six-year-old had been fourth to Hercule Du Seuil on chase debut at Ballinrobe and, with the latter an absentee due to coughing, overcame some novicey early leaps to go clear three out and account for favourite Roseys Hollow by nine and a half lengths.
The Fame And Glory gelding rattled up a four-timer over hurdles last summer.
Winning rider Danny Gilligan, for whom it was a 12th winner of the season, all of them bar one coming in the last three weeks, said: "It's great the way things are going, a big thanks to Gordon.
I'm in a very lucky position, there are plenty of lads in the weighing room that would be able to do the job I'm doing. Jack, Sam and Jordan are on the sidelines and it's great to be getting the chances, hopefully they keep coming when they come back.
On the race he added: "He can be a small bit keen and I said I'd try and keep it simple, jump off and try and get him to settle.
Over the first couple he was sticky enough but once he warmed up into it I thought he jumped well."
Quotes from Gary Carson
