Presto and Richie Deegan© Photo Healy Racing
Multiple Grade One winning handler Colm Murphy returned to the training ranks after a break of about three years in the bumper, but he had no joy as Presto (20/1) grabbed the headlines on debut for Oliver McKiernan.
With Richie Deegan up the Juddmonte Farms-bred Presto chased the leaders, and he was sixth at the halfway stage.
The four-year-old son of Cacique improved to challenge three furlongs out, and he was ridden to lead under two furlongs out.
Clear over a furlong out Presto kept on strongly in the final furlong to win by eight lengths from favourite Eva's Diva
"We like him. He was a little bit anxious early on and we backed off him but he settled now and has matured in the last couple of months," said McKiernan.
"He travelled in the race really well and is a horse who has lots of gears. We bought him on this day last year for 12,000gns and he is a grand horse.
"I'm not sure if we have any horses for Galway. Whether we bring him or not I'm not sure. He'll go up the hill anyway, he jumps well and he would win a flat maiden also.
"Healy's Pub was my last bumper winner (in October 2002) and the pub has even closed as well!"
Meanwhile Colm Murphy's Glendruid had to settle for eighth place.
Mr T. Feeney, rider of Move To Nevada trained by John P.O'Callaghan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran very green and hung badly throughout.
(TW & EM)
