Early Arrival and Kieran Callaghan. © Photo Healy Racing
With his only win from 33 starts coming at this track, Early Arrival doubled his career tally when staying on strongly to take the Racing TV Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Hurdle at Tramore.
Despite finding it difficult to get his head in front, the James Barcoe trained gelding had been runner-up on five previous occasions, including at Clonmel last time.
Sent to the front after three out by Kieran Callaghan, the 4/1jf went clear on the approach to the second last, as a number of runners were involved in an incident in behind.
Staying on strongly inside the last furlong, the nine-year-old won easily by 12 lengths.
James Barcoe said: "Kieran done the same on the filly (Hollow Spark) earlier on and he felt the better ground was out there. It was a brave out of him to be the odd one out but thank God it worked. The other filly ran very well to finish third. We both walked the track earlier and Kieran just rang me and said keeping wide was the best thing to do and he was right.
"I'm just delighted, that's his second win and he has won here before so it's brilliant. He had a lovely run the last day and a good run his first day back as well. He likes it here and some horses handle it better than others."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy.
