The 87-rated Merry Moves backed from 33/1 into 22/1 before the off, landed the handicap hurdle under Ben Harvey.

Reverting to the smaller obstacles after running over fences during the winter, the daughter of Sholokhov chased clear leader Lilian Bland before heading that one two out and was ridden out to beat Atlantian by two and three quarter lengths.

It was a first win under Rules for the eight-year-old whose half-sister Sliabh Mhuire Lass was a good servant for owner Leoanard McMahon and trainer Grainne O'Connor.

The winning trainer's husband Paurick O'Connor said: "That's Ben's first time riding for me - he was a top class point-to-point rider and I didn't have to give him instructions. I left it to him as he is the professional.

"She had won a point-to-point and I'm delighted for her owner Leonard MacMahon who also bred her."

Quotes from Tom Weekes