War Of The Pennys cost Clonmel bookmakers further cash when returning to form in the Derrygrath Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

On an evening when a number of winners justified strong support, the eight-year-old gelding provided further pain for the layers when backed on track from 20/1 into 9/1.

Conor Walsh ’s mount challenged in the straight and, with three horses in the air together at the last, dug deep on the run-in to beat Manuka by half a length. The King Of Brega set the pace in this three-mile event but could find no extra after the last to finish another three quarters of a length back in third.

War Of The Pennys won at Tramore last month but was never involved when pulled up at Kilbeggan last week.

Successful New Ross trainer Don Cashman said, "I received my licence last July and this horse was my first winner at Tramore. He's a right little horse and this was only his second run over three miles.

"He can go for anything from 2m5f to three miles and he'll keep on the go but we'll look for a dry week to run him next - yielding to soft ground would be ok for him."

(TW & AM)