Winding River, orange and blue, heads for home© Photo Healy Racing
Oliver McKiernan's Winding River availed of the inside route to take the extended 2m5f handicap hurdle in Downpatrick.
The six-year-old gelding made his winning move after two out and, despite being less than fluent over the last, stayed on well to score by a length and a quarter to justify 16/5 favouritism. Fruit Blossom (17/2) filled the runner-up berth and was three parts of a length in front of Aliunde (6/1).
Jockey Richie Condon said: "Yeah he is (happier over hurdles), I'd say he will go back chasing in the near future as well. They are two good runs he had over fences recently.
"Off that lower mark over hurdles, he was entitled to do that.
"I was in the box seat throughout and the horse in front of me (Wee Jerry) was jumping a bit left, so I had it in my head to try and nip up the inner after the second-last.
"I was able to get rolling down the hill early and a bit of a mistake at the last, but he did it well. He was awkward more than anything (over the last), but i gathered him up again, he galloped the whole way."
