The ground staff at Gowran Park did a tremendous job in getting the track back in tip-top shape after the pounding it took on Thyestes Day and a horse that finished second on that wretched afternoon 23 days back returned to triumph in the Shantou at Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle.

Second to the very-smart Secant Star on Gowran's showpiece day, saw Capellanus go off the 2/1 favourite for the two mile opener and in tiring conditions he done enough under Andrew McNamara to hold off the staying on Ambitious Fan by half a length.

Winning trainer, Edward O'Grady said of the Paddy Wilmott-owned winner: "He hung on as they say. Hopefully he'll get into the Fred Winter at Cheltenham."

Capellanus cost £60,000 off the flat in France.