Pilgrim Way came home strongest at the end of two and a half miles in Cork to take the honours in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old gelding chased Bridge Native over the second last and got on terms at the final flight.

Sean Flanagan drove him home on the run-in to win by three lengths at 6/1.

Front-running Bridge Native had to settle for second at 7/1. She was six lengths ahead of Fruits Of Glory (16/1).

Trainer Mark Cahill said: “He had two bad legs but he’s come right now. They have done a good job on the ground and that’s what he wants.

“Frank McNulty (owner) has been very patient and it’s great that he’s got his reward.

“If the ground dries too much we’ll give him a break but there is a race in Tipperary (on May 23) that he could go for if the ground is alright.

“He’s had one run over fences before and eventually that’s where he will be heading.

“He travels fierce well but if he hits the front he thinks he’s enough done and Sean said the mistake early in the straight actually helped him as he’d have landed in front if he’d winged it.”

Pilgrim Way had been off since July 2016 before returning with a runner-up spot in a handicap hurdle at Cork last month.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee