Barry Geraghty gave Sea Stallion a finely judged ride as he caused a 25/1 shock in the concluding Freshford Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Stephen Ryan 's charge had hit the front at the last with a circuit to go and poached a few lengths on his field up the back straight.

His advantage was reduced at the third last but his rivals had to work to get to him and Geraghty had kept a bit up his sleeve.

He asked his mount for an effort before the final flight and he stayed on gamely in the closing stages to record a three-parts-of-a-length success. Courtncatcher got up late to grab the runner-up spot from Ballylibert

"This is a horse that's been plagued with hard luck stories. He had a chip removed from his knee and his joints are an ongoing problem," said Ryan.

"We put in a new hill gallop near Thurles and that's the first winner I've trained since then.

"The one thing about this horse is that he's very genuine. That'll take me off the cold list!"

Geraghty added:- "He ran away with me on the way to the start and again a bit in the race as well. But he jumped super and I knew I had a bit in hand turning in."

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)