Mr Showtime booked a ticket to Ballybrit after making all in the opening hurdle race at Downpatrick.

The five-year-old gelding took the five-runner field along under Sean Flanagan but was pressed by Westland Row approaching the last.

However, the 8/13 favourite kept on well up the hill to score by five and a half lengths. Westland Row (11/4) could make no impression in the final furlong and had to settle for second.

Trainer Noel Meade said: "He was entitled to win on the ratings. It all worked out well, it doesn't always but it did today. We always said he would stay further than that although it is possible that a fast run two miles to two and a half is probably more his cup of tea than a three-mile race. Fast ground is essential, he needs to be bouncing off it.

"He probably will win a two mile flat race on fast ground. I didn't even consider it at all but I would think there's a possibility he could run in a two-mile maiden on the flat.

"In the immediate term, I would imagine he will go to Galway for something. I'll probably give him an entry in the Galway Hurdle. I know that sounds a bit adventurous but if he doesn't get into it he doesn't get into it and he probably won't anyway. There's a couple of other races we could run him in there."