Having struck with a similar type the previous afternoon, trainer Barry Connell sent out another Gowran Park winner on Saturday when Apple's Of Bresil made all to land the Joe Bollard Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

Sent off 4/6f, the gelding made every post a winning one under Michael O'Sullivan.

A bumper winner at Sligo earlier in the season, the six-year-old had some smart hurdles form in stronger company over the winter.

Clear from two out, Apple's Of Vresil beat Mollys Kingdom by six-and-a-half lengths.

Trainer Barry Connell said: "It is the first time he has got a galloping track and conventional obstacles. We ran twice him in Galway and he made the same mistake at the second-last both times; it is a trappy fence and that was two miles but he will be a stayer in time.

"He is a galloper and it is great to get that done. We'll have a look at the Monksfield Novice at Navan next month, if the ground is suitable and not gone heavy.

"He will only come into himself as a chaser next year and winning a bumper had been a complete bonus. I'm delighted with today as when you have a horse who is showing you a lot at home, you hate making excuses for them."

Connell owns the gelding in partnership with Tim O'Driscoll and added "we have a few outside owners and they are people with patience. Our horses mightn't see the track for three years after they're bought, as we bring them through our own system. If they take two years, they take two years and we're not going to rush them."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.