Rebel Fitz followed up a promising Listowel victory with a good display to defy a penalty in the Cancercarewest.ie Flat Race at Galway.

Mikey O'Connor travelled well to get to the front a furlong out and the French-bred stayed on well to hold off the unlucky in running and strong-finishing favourite, Mississippi River by a length and a quarter.

Successful trainer Mick Winters said: "He is still very green and we haven't done a lot with him since Listowel. He is a very nice horse and I'll have to talk to the owners but he'll be beginning his hurdling career now."

Meanwhile O'Connor gave him a glowing reference with the future in mind saying: "I've never seen the like of him to leap."