The addition of cheek-pieces seemed to do the trick as Finding Touch got off the mark in the Giantsgrave Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Presenting gelding, a first winner in five months for Christy Roche who trains the 9/1 shot for J P McManus, was a distant runner-up on debut at Cork in March but failed to make the places in four subsequent outings.

The four-year-old travelled well to lead between the final two hurdles, and kept on well on the run-in for Niall Madden.

The winning margin was two and three quarter lengths over Courtin BB, who was backed from 16/1 into half those odds. Neddyvaughan was a further length and three quarters away in third, with The Shaughraun staying on in fourth.

Roche's son and assistant Padraig said, "He ran so bad at Roscommon it was unbelievable but it is grand to get a winner. I couldn't even explain how he ran so bad but maybe cheek-pieces might have made the difference.

"That's all he is and he'll go for something similar next."

(TW & AM)