Mr Fred Rogers relishes a longer trip

Mr Fred Rogers (even-money favourite) showed he is all about stamina as a late thrust took him home in the extended two mile seven furlong rated novice hurdle in Thurles.

It would be fair to say he put in a less than stellar jumping performance but it was his engine that won the race for him.

The patiently-ridden Nell's Well (6/4) unleashed her challenge approaching the last and was in front of Mr Fred Rogers on the run-in.

The recent Grade 3 winner kept going, however, Mr Fred Rogers' stamina reserves kicked in in the closing stages as he took aim and shot past her to score by a length and a quarter for Gordon Elliott.

Jockey Shane Fitzgerald said: "He dived out through one hurdle but I was always travelling very easy and he finds plenty off the bridle too.

"We went very steady early on and it was only after a circuit that we started to quicken and we were fairly motoring down over the last two few but he always had plenty in hand.

"He is a lovely horse."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes