The lightly-raced Nearest The Pin opened his account at the first time of asking in handicap company when taking the two miles Family Day at Fairyhouse Novice Handicap Hurdle under a typically cool ride by Paul Carberry.
The 10/1 shot was produced full of running in the straight, leading just before the final flight to beat a trio of J P McManus-owned horses.
Nearest The Pin stretched clear on the run-in to beat Princeton Plains (11/2) by four lengths, with Louisville Lip (12/1) the same distance back in third and Alderwood (16/1) fourth.
Winning trainer Tony Martin said: “We've always thought he was a good horse and he's a super leaper. Hopefully he'll make a proper chaser some day. He's had a few problems but seems to go on any ground and will stay further.”
