Lieutenant Highway made much of the running before battling back bravely once headed to take the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club (C&G) Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

Jack Kennedy had the Gordon Elliott trained favourite in front early on and for a long period it appeared as though he wasn't for catching.

Kennedy got lower in the saddle turning out of the back straight and was headed by eventual second Malinas Glory between the final two flights.

However, the Elliott trained gelding showed gritty determination to fight back and run out a cosy winner at the finish.

Lisa O'Neill, representing Gordon Elliott reported; "he has been knocking on the door and has had a few nice runs so it was good to get his head in front. It is great for Mr (Michael) Hanrahan who is a great owner of Gordon's.

"Hopefully he will go along and pick up a few more over the summer, he seems to enjoy that ground. Jack gave him a nice ride from the front and the horse enjoyed himself and he battled when the other horse came to him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.