Despite drifting in the betting, Grange Alainn showed himself to be a tough likeable type when landing the Irish Independent Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Shay Barry.

Liam Burke's 6/1 shot stayed on well in the straight after leading two out to see off the gambled-on favourite, Final Question by seven lengths.

Burke expressed surprise at the starting price of his winner, saying: "I couldn't believe the price he was as I had him as one of my bankers of the week. A tougher finish would have suited him last time when he was fourth to Quel Esprit at Cork.

"If it had been a stiffer finish that day he would have got a good share of the minor money. He is a very tough horse and he'd stay galloping all day if you had a man on board capable of doing the driving.

"He won his point-to-point first time out and I was hoping to pick up a hurdle with him - now he has won two of them and might be capable of more. He'll make a good staying chaser in time."

Grange Alainn has a good pedigree - Lisa's Storm, a winner of six races, being one of his successful siblings.