Having made the breakthrough on her previous start at Clonmel in June, Romella (12/1) followed up off a 7lb higher mark in the Athlone Handicap Hurdle.

The daughter of Milan, trained by John Joe Walsh, raced closed to the pace before taking over three out.

She was challenged at the last by Go Gill Go (6/1) but found more on the run-in to beat that one by two lengths with the 11/4 favourite General Moriviere back in third.

After incurring the wrath of the stewards a couple of times lately, it was a change of fortune for winning rider Ambrose McCurtin who said: “She loves that ground, jumps brilliant and stayed at it well. I'm very happy with her.

“The win the last day probably did her confidence the world of good. She was good again today and toughed it out.”

Quotes from Gary Carson