Theo forged on after the last to take the spoils in the extended two mile three handicap hurdle at Down Royal.

Shane Donohue's six-year-old gelding hit the front at the penultimate flight but still had 5/2 favourite Tyrone Tiger battling away on his tail.

The latter fell at the last, when a length down, which enabled Theo (10/1) to come home four and three quarter lengths clear from Manuka (11/2). Boris Boru a 33/1 outsider, was a short head away in third.

Winning jockey Conor Brassil said: "He just told me to drop him in. He just kept finding went very quickly to the front and finished it out well."

There was a significant early price plunge on Mr Smith from 13/2 to 5/4 favourite. However, he opened at 4/1 at the track but again was supported down to 11/4 before coming home fifth.

This was Theo's first victory on his ninth start.