Bunnenaugh (7/1) battled on gamely to deprive Knight Eagle in the two mile three furlong maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan after the latter spoiled his chance with a bad mistake three out.

Willie McCreery was delighted with his former point-to-pointer and said: “I thought the trip might be too short for him.

“When I saw he was getting in I made sure I got Ben Dalton as he’s very good. He gave him a lovely ride.

“He has won two point-to-points [on his last two outings] and he’ll probably go chasing.”

Bunnenaugh did it from the front, but it looked like Knight Eagle (7/2) was coming to take him at the third last where a mistake robbed him of his momentum. He was beaten by a length and a quarter.

9/4 favourite Dowd’s Angel ran on for third after he nearly ran out at the fourth flight where his rider Mattie Bowes temporarily lost his irons.

(on course reporting by Thomas Weekes)