Derulo enjoys a step up in trip

Derulo proved much too strong for the opposition up Downpatrick's hill as he took the Guinness Rated Hurdle by six lengths.

Sean Flanagan survived a mistake at the second last, when fifth, before steering his mount into the lead at the last.

The pair forged on to win at 11/4 from Ballela Boy (4/1).

Trainer Liz Doyle said: "It looks like he wants the two and a half (miles). He hit a flat spot across the top and made an awful mistake. Sean said he was lucky to stand up. I don't know what mark he will get after that. We'll look at something maybe for him in Punchestown with nice ground. He wants the two and a half all day there and ridden patiently.

"An improving horse that I haven't over run because of the ground. We'll probably go two and a half Punchestown somewhere. I'm very pleased. He was entitled not to win it there and he still won it.

"He got just done for toe in the last furlong of the two-mile race, the flat horses did him in Leopardstown from the last hurdle. He didn't stop, he has great cruising speed but no change of gear. Today was kind of a dip in toe to see about going up in trip so we will."