Jack The Hat leads over the last with eventual winner Meadow Cross (nearest) close behind © Photo Healy Racing
Meadow Cross recorded her first win over flights, as she stayed on best to take the Giantsgrave Handicap Hurdle.
Successful on the level at Dundalk in January of last year, the Denis Hogan trained five-year-old ran well to finish fourth over fences at Down Royal in June, but disappointed on her two most recent starts at Limerick and Kilbeggan respectively.
Available at 16/1 this morning, the daughter of Cape Cross opened on-course at 10s before going off a 12/1 chance in the colours of the Is That All Syndicate.
Settled towards rear by Ian McCarthy, the bay victor made progress into mid-division down the back straight.
She was ridden and had plenty to do from the three furlong pole, but soon improved on to the heels of the leaders, sweeping to the front after the last, staying on well to score by two and three parts of a length.
The Madeleine Tylicki trained Jack The Hat finished second under Robbie Colgan at 7/1, while Call His Bluff (50s to 33s on-course) was another length back in third with Shane Shortall aboard for Niall Hennessy.
The front-running Megara (50/1) completed the placings another length away in fourth for James O'Sullivan for Philip Rothwell.
First reserve Aurora's Dream was sent off the 5/1 favourite (from 8s) and she finished tenth under Cathal Landers for Ger Keane.
Hogan said afterwards: "Ian was the winning of that; I said to him to take his time as she loves passing horses. She takes a while to get going and he was cooler than I told him to be though!
"She is a lovely big mare and it was hard to believe she was still a maiden but has ran into one or two down the years.
"Chasing will be her job and the blinkers back on today were a help."
On earlier faller Storm Rising Hogan added: "He was unlucky and Eamonn was giving him a grand ride. He's in the Lartigue at Listowel and might run if he gets in off a light weight."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
