Byeforthepresent benefitted from a power-packed ride from Nina Carberry to take the Heart Of Down Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

Noel Meade 's charge had moved up to challenge Drain Hooper two from home but the 6/4 favourite made hard work of getting past.

He got to the front 100 yards from the finish and held the late charge of Lea Lady to land the spoils by half-a-length.

"He's a big weak horse. He wants good ground and needs a trip. He also needed the jockey!" said Meade.

Today's double was the Tu Va handler's first successes since Jim Bowie scored at Gowran on March 20th and he added:-

"Over the year you get spells of good and bad. It happens and you have to put up with it knowing it will turn.

"For some reason they just weren't finishing. They were looking great and all the tests were good.

"It was just one little thing that was a bit wrong and we might have changed it and it turned around.

"It happens at some stage every year that they just go a bit flat."

The winner was owned by the Stratton Syndicate which includes former dual All-Ireland winner Colm O'Rourke, now a familiar face on RTE's GAA coverage.