Morricone confirmed the promise of his second at Tramore last month when taking the M B McGrady & Co Accountants Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.

The Mags Mullins-trained gelding was supported on track from 7/2 into 5/2 favourite and was produced to challenge at the last by the handlers son Danny.

The six-year-old son of Shantou led off the home bend and soon drew clear to beat Cullenwaine by six lengths. Chancer Dancer was a further length and three quarters away in third.

Danny Mullins said, "Unfortunately he slipped up in Limerick last year. We always thought he was a nice horse and he had a lot of time off.

"Hopefully the way he is improving now, he might fulfil some of the early potential we would have hoped he would have had.

"Definitely (travelled well on the soft ground), it went slower in Tramore the last day so I wasn't too worried about the rain.

"He'll handle slow ground through the winter, but I don't think it is that bad out there. Maybe when you are riding the winner it is a bit easier!

"I'm delighted for a good friend of mine, Kieran Stokes, it is the first winner in his colours so it meant a lot to me to ride a winner for him."

Quotes by Michael Graham