Ancient Sands delivered his challenge at the last and galloped on strongly to land the two mile handicap hurdle at Navan.

John Kiely 's seven-year-old gelding was popular in morning-price trading as he shortened to 15/2 from 10/1 before being returned at 7/1. Bashful Beauty reeled in clear leader Back To Balloo and set sail for home at the second last. However, Brian Hayes got a tune out of Ancient Sands and the pair moved into a narrow lead from Bashful Beauty at the final flight.

Ancient Sands kept finding on the uphill run-in to win by a length and a half from Bashful Beauty (16/1). Mighty Concorde (7/1) could give no more after the last and had to settle for third while 9/4 favourite Baroque Style (from an opening show of 7/2) completed the placings in fourth.

John Kiely said: "He was fit from the flat, and was unlucky in Leopardstown as everywhere he ran into trouble.

"He ran a few times over fences but we may keep him over hurdles now for this season."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee