The Noel Meade trained handicap debutant Pinkerton belied his inexperience to run out a narrow winner of the Listed Frontline Security Handicap Chase at Punchestown.

The eight-year-old came into the race as one of the more unexposed types, having had just the four starts over fences prior to today. In fact, he had only won his Beginners Chase at Tipperary towards the end of last month.

Held up on the inner in mid division, Sam Ewing went fifth on Pinkerton approaching four out, as The Folkes Tiara led the field. Pushed along in third after the next fence, the eventual winner joined Saint Roi in front two out, as the leader gave way.

Travelling marginally the better at that point, Saint Roi made a bad mistake at that penultimate fence, handing the initiative to his younger rival. Quickening on to lead at the last, Pinkerton faced a renewed challenge from the Aidan Kelly ridden Saint Roi on the run-in.

At the finish only a short head separated the pair, with Enniskerry running on well to claim third.

Winning jockey Sam Ewing said: "I was quick away from the second last which left me there too soon. He quickened up very well when I asked him, a lot better than I expected.

"He is a horse that gets 2m very well and it was a burst of speed I had never felt off him before.

"He is not overly big but he jumps slick and likes plenty cover. He did everything right the whole way round."

Noel Meade added: “He came out of last week's race great. I was a disappointed he didn't win a bit easier there as it was a very ordinary contest, he struggled a bit and was maybe in front a bit long.

“Today when he went to the front he wandered a bit going to the last.

“It's great for the owners to win here, he's been a super little horse for them. He's the first horse Philip (Polly) bought off me and that's the first time he's won for them.

“He's tough and the jockey is very good, he's very strong.

“He mightn't go on real quick ground, he wants an ease, but we'll carry on for the moment and see how we go.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.