Won In The Dark ended his sequence of nineteen runs without a win as he battled gamely to take the M.D.O'Shea & Sons Hurdle, under Andrew Lynch for trainer Sabrina Harty.

The dual Grade 1 winning hurdler recorded his last success at Leopardstown in February of 2010 before he went on his winless run.

He disappointed three times last year when sent off the odds-on favourite and he had his last run at Clonmel in the race won by Rebel Fitz on Thursday just gone.

The 8yo son of Montjeu was sent to post the 5/2 joint favourite today with Catch Me for the 2m 4f contest.

He hit the front as they entered the straight but was soon passed by Flycorn (3/1).

However he showed great spirit to rally under pressure and rejoin that fellow on the run to the last.

After making a mistake at the second last Flycorn made another error at the last as Won In The Dark edged ahead and kept on best on the run-in to score by half a length.

8/1 shot Dancing Tornado still had every chance in third when he unshipped his rider Adrian Heskin at the last while the other joint favourite Catch Me disappointed eleven lengths back in third under Mark Walsh for Edward O’Grady.

The likeable, versatile, sixteen time winner The Fonze pulled up quickly when still travelling well as runners turned into the straight for the final time after suffering a suspected heart-attack.

The Eoin Doyle trained gelding sadly died as a result.

Winning trainer Sabrina Harty said afterwards: "He deserved that as he has been unlucky a few times.

"He was running a cracker at Aintree when he was brought down (in the race won by Big Buck's).

"He wasn’t quite himself on a few of his best runs this year. He will be kept on the go now for the summer and hopefully he will pick up a few more races like this.

"It is a special win for the family as a good friend of ours, Collette Cagney, passed away recently. She use to come racing regular when Won In The Dark would run."

Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes