Chief Of Panama s form figures now read 54321 after he shed his maiden tag in the Dining Packages @ www.gowranpark.ie Handicap Hurdle under Jonathan Burke.

The nicely supported 3/1 favourite was never too far away and he led at the penultimate flight.

Second market choice Chakisto was trying to get on terms when he wasn't fluent at the last and Chief Of Panama went on to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Liam Cusack said: "He got his day. The form of a few of his races has worked out well. I was a little bit concerned with the rain as he likes top of the ground.

"Jonathan gave him a lovely ride and he did exactly what I told him to do and it worked out well. I dropped him back to two miles with the forecast. I had him in the two and half miler later on today and I thought if the rain comes the ground could be gone by that time.

"I just thought the two miles with the rain softened ground would make it a test and I'd say that suited him. I was trying to get lads to ride him twice, Jonathan knew him from Killarney and he is lazy type of horse.

"I think the hood definitely helped today. I left it off the last day as he ran lazy in Killarney and the last day he just got a bit uptight without it.

"I read Richard Hughes' article (in the Racing Post) about the hood and he has a point but this fella just needs it." (DM & EM)

James Treacy from Ballybane in Galway is the head of the family-based Knees Up Syndicate who are based in Mayo, Galway, London and Wexford.