I A Connect hangs on in a thrilling finish

I A Connect made all in the two-mile hurdle at Punchestown but had to withstand a ferocious late thrust from Suprise Package

The leader jumped the last much better than Authorized Art and had him beaten, however, third-running Suprise Package switched to the inner and stormed home to force a photo.

I A Connect held on by a nose at 9/2 from 8/1 from the morning-price gamble Suprise Package who went off at 13/2.

Adrian Heskin was home from Britain to ride I A Connect for the McNeill Family.

Gordon Elliott said: “He (Heskin) was lucky he held on, he was nearly caught napping.

“He said when the horse came he actually picked up again but he nearly went by him that quick that is was all over, he was coming at him fast.

“He probably wants further and it's nice to win. He'll be better over two-and-a-half miles.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson