Billy's Hope's defection from the bumper at Down Royal owing to the ground saw Prickly (4/6) assume the mantle of odds-on favouritism. Edward O'Grady's charge more than justified that position with a polished performance under Declan Lavery in the Quilter Cheviot INH Flat Race.

Now victorious in this sphere at Tramore, Limerick and today, the Definite Article gelding shrugged aside the fact that he was conceding 19Ibs to Lady Artemis to convincingly see off the second favourite by three and three parts of a length.

O'Grady reflected: "It's a long time since I won three bumpers with a horse, not many do it.

"He jumps a hurdle very well but he shows enough to run in those flat races that are open to him too.

"There are a lot of roads open to him though he'd be at his best in spring, summer and autumn."

(MG & EM)