Alexander Leaving power home on the run-in to land the spoils in the Callan Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The well-backed Admiral Hawke (25/1 in morning returned 10/1) had hit the front at the fifth last and appeared set for victory as his pursuers struggled going to the final flight.

Mark Walsh got a good tune from Alexander Leaving on the run-in, however, and he got on top in the closing stages for a half-length success.

The 7/1 winner had attracted some support from 10/1 this morning and trainer Henry de Bromhead felt the better ground today made all the difference:-

“He was frustrating during the winter but he's obviously much better on better ground. I thought he'd win in Clonmel (March 28th) but he just got stuck in the ground.

“His jumping is deadly and he should make a nice chaser. He'll probably jump a fence sooner rather than later.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)