Red Jack confirmed himself to be a horse of considerable ability as he drew right away to win the valuable Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper in Fairyhouse.

The favourite was backed from 7/4 to 11/8 to do so and his supporters had little to worry about.

He travelled in fifth before easing into second on the home bend.

The leader Special Ted was hard at work on his inside and Red Jack passed him over a quarter of a mile out.

He was clear at the furlong pole and Danny Benson didn't have to get serious with him as they won by a reduced advantage of a length and three quarters from a staying-on Dinons (8/1).

Special Ted kept on one paced for third at 11/2, having been gambled down from 10/1.

Noel Meade said: “He looks a good horse and is ground versatile. That will probably be it for this season and he’ll jump hurdles next year.

“He just got a setback at the wrong time. He’d a sore wither that stopped my routine and made me rush a bit in the end. Other than that everything has gone very smoothly from the first day he came into the yard.”

This gave Meade a double on the card as Road To Respect landed the incident-packed Grade One novice chase.

Red Jack was purchased by JP McManus after winning a bumper at Naas on debut in January.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee