Deor and Davy Russell are led back in by the Glesson family© Photo Healy Racing
Deor scored on his debut over flights, taking the Team Matchbook Goes Racing Maiden Hurdle under Davy Russell for John Kiely.
A winner on the level at Wexford last summer, and placed on his last two starts, the son of Galileo was as short as 10/11 in early shows.
He opened on-course at 5/2 and drifted out to a high of 10/3, before going off a 3/1 chance for owner Brian Glesson of RTE and ITV fame.
Settled in mid-division, the six-year-old victor took closer order approaching the straight, and led narrowly before two out where he wasn't fluent.
He again wasn't fluent at the last, and needed to be ridden out on the run-in to see off the challenge of the 9/4 favourite King's War (Martin Mooney aboard for his father Paddy) by a length and a quarter.
The front two went sixteen lengths clear of Ted (12s to 7s) who finished third under Brian O'Connell for Liam Kenny.
Kiely said afterwards: "It's nice to get him back - he had a slight injury and we thought we'd bring him back and let him enjoy himself. It was always the intention to go hurdling but we could get another flat race out of him again.
"He always showed ability and seems to have retained it now and jumped well and got a nice ride. Galway is an option but we'll have to see how he comes out of the race first."
STEWARDS REPORTS
A.W. Short, rider of Fleetwood Jack trained by Miss Katy Brown, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left.
R.M. Power, rider of High Frontier trained by Yvonne Latta, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not jump well.
The Stewards interviewed M.F. Mooney, rider of King's War, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g), in that he had used his whip with the arm above shoulder height. Having considered his previous record in this regard, the Stewards suspended him for one raceday.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
