Hightimeyouwon came out on the right side of a thrilling finish with Half Ntz for the spoils in the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Handicap.

The 7/1 shot got the verdict by a short-head from the 10/3 favourite who had to settle for a runner-up prize. Eastern Wind was only half a length away in third at 15/2.

Trainer Ado McGuinness said: “Cian (MacRedmond) gave him a great ride. He was going to sit handier but they went quick and he sat off them. He's riding with great confidence, things are going well for him, and he just let the race happen.

“He was quite comfortable in the race and he picked up well. The key to this horse is ground, he loves top of the ground.

“He'll probably sneak into a big handicap now but we didn't enter him up on Champions Weekend.

“He'll try the racing league over in England, we might go over there with him one of the days. There will be plenty for him.

“Listowel probably won't suit him as the ground tends to be gone there.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson