Darragh O'Keeffe on Shantou Lucky© Photo Healy Racing
Shantou Lucky (11/4) outgunned the favourite Yabo at the end of an extended two mile beginners' chase at Clonmel.
Front-running Yabo was passed on the run to the penultimate obstacle by Shantou Lucky who jumped it the better.
He didn't meet the last on a good stride, though, and soon came under a drive from Darragh O'Keefe, however, he responded well on the run-in to fend off a rallying Yabo (well punted 11/8f) by three parts of a length.
There was a nine and a half length gap back to Leahman in third at 50/1.
Gavin Cromwell said: "He ran in a hurdle race at Gowran two runs ago and he was the first horse beaten. I fancied him going there but he had a think about it, so I gave him a run over fences at Leopardstown and he really enjoyed it.
"Conditions were ideal and he'll run away but wouldn't want rattling fast summer ground. We'll see what way the ground holds up."
This was Shantou Lucky's second crack at fences having won twice over hurdles.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
