Chess Grand Master ground out a victory in grueling conditions in the bumper at Sligo.

Joseph O’Brien’s 9/10 favourite was partnered by Tom Hamilton and the pair challenged the leader Thereisnodoubt approaching the home bend.

Chess Grand Master, who raced wide throughout, held a narrow advantage up the home straight as the rivals raced track-width apart.

He kept going all the way to the line and had a length and three parts in hand over runner-up Thereisnodoubt at the finish.

The runner-up was nicely backed at the track from 33/1 to 16/1.

“It was hard old work on that ground. He's had two good runs, has a good attitude and kept galloping,” Tom Hamilton said.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson