Abolitionist was nicely supported before racing from 11/1 to 7/1 and his supporters enjoyed his easy nine-length win in the three mile handicap hurdle at Bellewstown.

Shark Hanlon’s six-year-old gelding last scored in Punchestown in May, but he regained the winning thread today in great style. Sean McDermott guided him into third at the third last and he was soon challenging for the lead at the penultimate hurdle. He powered away before the last and came home clear of Court Frontier who was also backed from 14/1 in the morning down to an SP of 8/1.

Shark Hanlon said: “Good ground is the key to this fella. I thought he might have gone up too far (in the handicap), but he's improving all the time and he’s Galway-bound now. If he gets into the beginners’ chase on Thursday he’ll go for that and if not we’ll find a hurdle race for him. He’ll have a few entries.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee