A 16-runner handicap that was won by the 9/2 favourite; that was how Succeed And Excel kept punters happy in Gowran Park.

The 9/2 shot enjoyed this longer trip of a mile as he improved from fifth to finish well in the final furlong. He was ridden out by Wayne Lordan to win by half a length from Crecora (7/1) who burst through in the centre to press him all the way to the line.

For each way players Merry Mast at 12s and 50/1 outsider Noverre Princess brought home place dividends in third and fourth respectively.

Jockey Wayne Lordan said: “He raced lazily behind the bridle. It's a long straight here and when I got him out he idled a bit. He's a fine big horse and hopefully he'll come forward from this.”

Charles O’Brien’s three-year-old gelding was racing off a basement mark of 47. He had been third at this track over seven furlongs at the start of the month. This was his first win at the 10th attempt.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson