Sphagnum and Denis O'Regan have struck up a good association and the pair took the honours in the extended two mile five handicap hurdle at Downpatrick.

The five-year-old gelding was always handy and grabbed the lead at the second-last. He asserted on the run-in to come in by four and a half lengths at 3/1 for trainer Shane Broderick. Rare Conor kept on to come through for second at 13/2 and was two lengths in front of Diamondinthemud (20/1).

O'Regan said: "I got it wrong the last day (in Sligo), in fairness. He went too asleep and his jumping got complacent throughout the race. I was disappointed as I thought he would be able to go forward a bit sooner, I got caught behind one. In Killarney, he missed the third last and it definitely cost him momentum but, in fairness, the winner of that race has worked out since and I'd say we probably ran into an improving one the last day.

"I spoke to Ray (Loughnane, owner) the other day and he suggested that we put cheekpieces on and it certainly made a difference today. He was out handy and appeared to jump superb today.

"Cheekpieces on and Downpatrick, I'm not going to wait for anyone. He moseyed on and it seemed to do the trick today.

"He won nicely - (his last) four runs, two wins and two seconds is good going for any horse in Ireland.

"I thought the extra furlong would be a help (today) but I don't know whether I would stretch him out any further than that. He's still learning his job. Good ground is key to him.

"I'd say he could run a nice race in a good sort of a race. He could be competitive in one of those nice pots coming up in Listowel or somewhere. We'll see where there is a race."