Aupcharlie gained reward for his consistency when landing a hard-fought success in the concluding Rockview (Q.R.) Flat Race at Naas.

Jason McKeown was aboard the Daliapour gelding and he forced him to the front inside the final furlong. He stayed on well to beat Starling Force by three parts of a length.

Pat Collins trains Aupcharlie for Gerard Boyle and the successful handler said: "He's been knocking on the door. He was unlucky in Hexham on his debut and he was very unlucky in Fairyhouse last time where I think he'd have won if he'd kept straight.

"We'll take him home now and see how he is. We'll see what direction we'll go then.

"He was in the sales but the owner was keen to consider Cheltenham. We'll see."

Aupcharlie is a brother to French Grade 3 winning hurdler, La Grande Dame and he is a half-brother to a couple of winners including useful hurdler/chaser Lirfox.