Frank Ennis and Ian McCarthy enjoyed a welcome turn when King Of Ardcarne showed good improvement from his debut effort to take the Santa's Little Helper Maiden Hurdle.

Odds-on Alice Bradys Call looked to be coming to win his race when he flattened the second last flight. From there his effort was only of the one paced variety as King Of Ardcarne galloped on well to prevail by five and a half lengths.

Ennis commented of the 25/1 winner (paid 81.50 on the Tote): "He stays well and he loved the ground. I thought he might have needed the run there." The son of Alderbrook was having his second outing 310 days on from his racecourse bow. He was then handled by Arthur Moore.