A half-brother to classy 11-time winner Champ from the family of three-time Gold Cup winner Best Mate, Walkonthebriteside got a first win on the board in the first division of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over three miles.

Supported from 10/1 into 15/2 before the off, Ben Harvey's mount had a great tussle with Jimli's Cave from two out and got on top close home to defeat that rival by three-parts of a length. 

Trainer John McConnell said of the six-year-old who is owned by Ian Stuart Griffiths and Gary Evans: "He is not quite as good as Champ but he has ability. His wind has been an issue for him and it's always been a little bit tricky with him. On nice ground he gets away with it. He has actually got quite a good bit of ability, he jumps very well and this is his trip.

"I'm delighted for his owners who have been very patient with him and they've let me do what I want with him, so they've been rewarded. I don't know what we will do with him but he should make a nice chaser and hopefully there is a bit more left in him. He wouldn't be a winter horse but he was very good, tough and genuine today. We'll keep him going until the ground goes."

Quotes from Donal Murphy