Uhtred (left) lays it down to Ceroc © Photo Healy Racing
It was very much a finish of 'roughies' in the M.D. O'Shea & Sons Handicap Hurdle as 28/1 chance Uhtred came from well off the pace to collar longtime leader Ceroc (20/1) in the final strides.
A neck was the winning margin with the placings completed, a further two and three quarter lengths back, by Garrybello (22/1).
A five-time winner for Joseph O'Brien in his younger days and now with Gordon Elliott after a fruitless spell with Dan Skelton, Ed Mulligan's nine-year-old was partnered by Sam Ewing.
Ewing remarked: "I was happy everywhere and we had a lovely position, he jumped well and battled well for me after the last.
"That was his first run for a while and he had a good run here last year so hopefully he can keep progressing."
He added "I landed from America early this morning having had two unplaced rides for Gordon yesterday. It was very much worth the trip home."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
