The rated novice hurdle in Ballinrobe was a messy enough affair with plenty of scrimmaging and horses impeded, but it was Boom Boom Boom who quickened away to win well for Charles and Philip Byrnes. Miss Gherkin and Boom Boom Boom had the first prize between them at the final flight and Boom Boom Boom swept past the leader into the straight to end the contest.

The 4/1 shot (from as big as 9/1) soon opened up and came in by eight lengths from the 9/2 runner-up.

This was a first victory over hurdles for Boom Boom Boom to go with his two on the Flat.

"This was probably the first day he actually jumped," said the winning trainer.

"He jumped terrible the last day in Downpatrick but stayed on late which gave us a small bit of hope. Philip kept the squeeze on at every hurdle and his jumping was very good.

"We were half giving up on him and he was in a claimer for five grand in Tramore. It's probably just as well it was called off! He was in the parade ring and all when it was called off, we got drowned wet, but we're here now and the sun is shining!"

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan