Garrison Commander swooped wide to claim the first division of the Irish Racing Working Together Handicap at Punchestown.

Joey Sheridan came to the outer in the home-straight on the 18/1 shot and he was on the stand's rail when he challenged a furlong from home.

The Denis Hogan-trained gelding powered ahead in the closing stages to record a convincing two-and-a-half length success over Newgirlintown

Garrison Commander was making his first outing for Hogan having been in action over jumps for Gordon Elliott during the summer.

Sheridan revealed:- “He jumped out and never travelled a yard. He hated the ground. 

“It’s very chopped up on the inside but as soon as I switched him out turning in he got rolling with me. I did come wide but if you want better ground that’s the way you have to go.” 

(Quotes by Alan Magee)