Expound (5/1) was another horse to taste victory for the first time on the card at Ballinrobe when he held on in the Lodge At Ashford Castle Maiden.

The five-year-old gelding raced off the front and burned off Gunsight approaching the home bend. He then looked home for all money in the final furlong, but a running-on Mr Percy made things interesting in the closing stages.

The 13/8 favourite favourite flashed home to cut right into the deficit, but was still half a length in arrears at the winning post. Bridgehead (9/2) gave his backers a place dividend in third.

This was Expound's 22nd appearance (18 on the Flat and four over hurdles) and he got the job done for Denis Hogan and the Corner House Syndicate.

Jockey Joey Sheridan said: "I thought that horse would win more times! I remember one night in Tramore I covered him up until the last half furlong and Andy Slattery managed to beat me - I don't know how he did it.

"He has his own ideas but is consistent, in fairness to him. Denis told me to make the running on him today and make up his mind. He had the most experience of these and I said I'd use it and get a jump start at the two-pole on whatever was behind me.

"He had a good look at the crowd in the straight, but it's great to get his head over the line and I'm delighted for his owners because they've had to be patient with him.

"I think he'll be better over hurdles and it's coming into Denis' time of year with Galway coming up!"

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan