Trainer Jessica Harrington saddled the opening winner on day three of the Galway Festival when her Desert Abbey under Andrew Leigh, won the William Hill in Ireland Novice Hurdle.

The daughter of Presenting responded well to Leigh's urgings from the second last flight, eventually getting to front on the run-in for a length win over 5/4 favoutite Go Native with Harrington's Afasheen five lengths further away in third.

A delighted Harrington later reported "Desert Abbey is getting her confidence back and is getting stronger too. She is able to cope better on slower ground and is returning to the sort of form from 18 months ago."

Regarding plans, Harrington added "we will try to get some black-type for both Desert Abbey and Afasheen (who "may have needed the run": Harrington) next."