Theo gets off mark in the north

Theo forged on after the last to take the spoils in the extended two mile three handicap hurdle at Down Royal.

Shane Donohue's six-year-old gelding hit the front at the penultimate flight but still had 5/2 favourite Tyrone Tiger battling away on his tail.

The latter fell at the last, when a length down, which enabled Theo (10/1) to come home four and three quarter lengths clear from Manuka (11/2). Boris Boru a 33/1 outsider, was a short head away in third.

Winning jockey Conor Brassil said: "He just told me to drop him in. He just kept finding went very quickly to the front and finished it out well."

There was a significant early price plunge on Mr Smith from 13/2 to 5/4 favourite. However, he opened at 4/1 at the track but again was supported down to 11/4 before coming home fifth.

This was Theo's first victory on his ninth start.