Despite proving friendless with the punters, Why But Why snapped a barren spell of more than two years when winning the two mile beginners’ chase at Tramore.

Mark Bolger was on board and he commented: “That was his third run over fences. He’s only five and he jumps really well. He goes on that ground.”

Jessica Harrington’s gelding led four out and stayed on stoutly to fend off The Boat People (9/4) by two and a quarter lengths. It was another three and three quarter lengths back to Flying Light in third at 16/1.

Why But Why came in at 12/1 but had drifted out from 13/2 this morning and an opening show of 9/1 at the track. Passage Vendome the 13/8 favourite, was pulled up abruptly before two out by Emmet Mullins.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy