Adrian Keatley has never hidden his regard for point-to-point winner, Thebarrowman and the Mahler gelding went out to produce the goods against four rivals in the concluding Ian Smith Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Fairyhouse.

Jason McKeown 's mount, a six-year-old, didn't go un-backed against a quartet of five-year-olds, all tasting action for the first time.

The winning 8/1 shot (from 12s) proceeded to make all and he was pressed and kept to the inner entering the straight.

Strong 6/5 favourite Laverteen looked like he might go by, but Thebarrowman kept on strongly from over a furlong out and he went clear in the closing stages for a seven and a half length win.

"He's a big galloper. I don't know if he was going any faster the second time down the straight than he was the first. He's a three-mile chaser and on that he could turn out to be a high class one," said Keatley.

"That's my first bumper winner, and my first winner since moving to a new yard on the Curragh."

(AM & EM)