The Little Yank made it two wins from his last three starts, as he ran out an easy winner of the Foley's Bar & Off Licence Rated Novice Hurdle.

A winner on his 22nd start over flights at Ballinrobe last month, the John Ryan trained six-year-old since ran a fine race to finish third in a competitive handicap at the Galway Festival.

Available at 2/1 in early shows for this near two and a quarter mile contest, the son of Westerner eventually went off a well-backed even money chance under Shane Fitzgerald.

Settled in fourth and slightly impeded at the first, the bay victor took closer order from before three out. In front shortly after the next, he soon went clear and came home eight-and-a-half lengths to the good. Mars Harper (9/2) finished second under Hugh McOwan for Denise Foster, while Ferdia who is also trained by Ryan, was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

"I'm thinking about a big handicap for him, maybe at Listowel," said Ryan.

"Bryan Cooper was disappointed at Galway. He said he missed the start and just couldn't get the run he wanted after that. He felt as though he was the best horse in the race that day.

"When he came home it was as if he was never in Galway, so I had to come here because he was so well.

"That was only a piece of work for him! Shane (Fitzgerald) said he never came off the bridle."

STEWARDS REPORTS

J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Cousin Harry trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount went lame across the bottom of the course and was pulled up.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Cousin Harry, trained by P.J. Rothwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on his off fore.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan