Ninth in the corresponding heat a year ago and a course winner of a handicap chase on St Stephen's Day in 2008, Selection Box was one of the oldest in the line-up at ten for the Tayto Group Handicap Hurdle but that didn't stop him from making most to prevail under Eddie O'Connell at Down Royal.
The first winner, Benny's Fagartha also made every post a winning one and here over two and three quarter miles, O'Connell on the successful ten-year-old looked vulnerable up the straight to the sweet-travelling Clash Rebel However when push came to shove from two out it was Selection Box that found what was required, going on to prevail by a length and a half. Francis Flood, trainer of runner-up, Clash Rebel, also saddled the third placed Down Under
Adrian Heskin, on his first ride back after his cruciate ligament knee injury, was on the well-backed favourite Get In There but that mare, under top-weight, had to settle for fifth.
Colin McBratney trains Selection Box for the Web Law Racing Syndicate and he said: "He's a great wee horse and that's his fifth win.
"We were expecting a good run as he is rated 22Ibs lower over hurdles than he is over fences.
"He loves the soft ground and Eddie gave him a great ride.
"We'll look for something similar now but he will go back over fences too.
"His long term target is the Ulster National. He was placed in that for the last three years. He has a realistic mark this year which we'd be looking to protect."
Harley Dunne weighed-in a stone light after partnering Representing and that mare was disqualified.
This was caused by the loss of a lead-cloth during the race.
The Stewards found this to be accidental. (EM & MG)
