Ongenstown Lad recorded a very easy success for his trainer Gillian Callaghan with Davy Condon aboard, in the J.F Hanley Handicap Hurdle over three miles.
The lightly raced son of Bach was recording his third win of the year, having scored at Ffos Las, on his first start for over a year, and Sligo last month.
He since went off the short priced 11/8 favourite at Downpatrick on his last start but blundered and unseated his rider at the sixth flight.
Today he raced in mid-division for much of the race before improving five out. He took up the leading entering the straight and stayed on well to record a facile five length win at 7/1. Lea Lady was best of the rest back in second at 16/1 while the recent course and distance scorer Regal Ambition (6/1jfav) plugged on for third a half a length back. Conclave ran his best race for a while to finish a further neck back in fourth to complete the placings.
The other 6/1 joint favourite Brega Queen ran no sort of race, finishing a disappointing sixteenth in the end.
Winning trainer Gillian Callaghan, who was spotted walking the track with her husband Barry before racing, said after the race: "He was quite impressive. The step up in trip suited him. He was in good form beforehand and he did it well.
"We will see what's coming up for him now and them make a plan."
Donal Murphy
