< Mick The Man finally broke his jumping duck when outclassing his rivals in the 20% On Line Ticket Discount Maiden Hurdle.
Punters were not deterred by the fact he had been a beaten favourite no less than eight times in his career, and again waded into the Grade 1-winning bumper performer, sending him off the 4-5 market leader.
He cruised into contention in his customary fashion but whereas he has flattered to deceive so often in the past, he responded well when Matt O'Connor popped the question and registered a 12-length verdict.
O'Connor showed strength to match his confidence in the saddle when conjuring a second run out of An Peinteir (14-1), who denied Oscar Time by a head in the Racecourse Signage Beginners Chase, while the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase went the way of 7-1 shot Jak Dream < Flag Of Honour made it second time lucky over obstacles in the Bobbyjo Bistro On New Years Day 3-Y-O Hurdle.
Dessie Hughes' 100-30 joint-favourite had finished third to the well-touted Tharawaat at Navan and was always prominent under Paddy Flood here.
The jockey took a couple of looks over his shoulder as his mount quickened away between the last two flights, and didn't have to resort to the whip as Flag Of Honour eased home seven lengths ahead of Celtic Strand
Flood followed up when Ninetieth Minute took the Fairyhouseracecourse.ie Rated Hurdle.
The 11-2 chance looked to have compromised his chance when blundering through the final flight, but his closest pursuer Candy Girl made a similar mess of the obstacle and finished 12 lengths adrift.< Sky Captain (14-1) showed admirable resolution to prevail in the Fairyhouse Membership 2009 Handicap Hurdle.
Having dictated terms to suit himself, Alain Cawley's mount looked booked for second when favourite Diophas touched down over the last in a narrow lead, but that one found little under pressure and Sky Captain rallied to score by two and a half lengths.
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