"Ballinrobe is my favourite track in the world"

Now that’s how to jump the final hurdle at Ballinrobe. No doubt a sentiment echoed by many who saw Ancient Sands fly that obstacle and power away to win the two mile handicap hurdle by four and three quarter lengths.

Ancient Sands and Andrew McNamara raced in fifth place before moving into third after jumping two out. Heading into the straight, the pair overtook Luimneach Abu and the excellent jump at the last sealed the prize. He was nicely backed in from 9/2 to 7/2 at the track.

Joanna Morgan trains the five-year-old gelding and afterwards was full of praise for her horse, the owners and the racecourse as she said: “He has scope to jump a fence in time and is a genuine horse. It mightn’t have been a very good race but he won convincingly.

“I’m delighted for his owners [Mee family], they are fantastic owners. I hardly ever leave here empty handed! I was meant to be at the sales today, but this is my favourite track in the whole world!”

Luimneach Abu, the 7/4 favourite, came in second - two lengths ahead of Pennys Tune (9/1).

Ancient Sands had also decisively scored by six lengths in a Down Royal handicap hurdle over two miles at the end of August. This was his fourth career success.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes