Heist (cheekpieces) and Adrian Heskin pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Heist sprang a 25/1 surprise in the Seamus Mulvaney Crockafotha Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Adrian Heskin for Pat Griffin.
Campaigned mainly in the UK, the six-year-old son of Galileo had his last five runs over fences, and back over flights today he was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.
Having chased the front running Mai Fitzs Jack throughout, he was ridden to challenge from the third last, and disputed the lead on the run to the final flight.
He got to the front shortly after that obstacle, and kept on well to hold off the late surge of Little Haarth and Paul Townend (10/1) by half a length. Santo Prince (25/1) also finished well, and he was another half a length back in third under Robbie Colgan on his first start for Gillian Callaghan.
Mai Fitzs Jack (Brian O'Connell aboard for Joseph O'Brien) was sent off the 2/1 favourite and he finished fifth, fading when headed after the last.
James Griffin, son of the winning trainer, said afterwards: "Adam Short said he was working well.
"I walked the track on Tuesday and thought it would need all the rain it got to change it. He's ground dependent and wants top of the ground but got away with it as it was the first hurdle run.
"He makes the jockeys work but has ability and Adrian gave him a good ride.
"The plan is Perth on Sunday week, back over fences and we might mix it with him after today's win. That was our first winner in Ireland in a while."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
