Torphichen put the Edward O'Grady/Andrew McNamara alliance firmly back on the right track after some disappointments yesterday when the Alhaarth chestnut reveled in the testing conditions to take the Fishery Lane Hurdle in great style by six lengths.

Having his second outing for the Ballynonty outfit, having come from the David Pipe-yard, Thomas Barr's four-year-old led between the last two and he was soon clear for a comprehensive victory over Arabella Boy Strongly-backed favourite, Ebadiyan did well to survive a mistake at the second and he had no more to offer when headed, finishing a length and three parts back in third.

O'Grady commented of his easy-to-back winner: "I'm pleasantly surprised. I don't know where he'll go. I'll try to find another suitable race for him somewhere; I'm just pleased he did it as nicely as he did."