Handicap debutante Ask Vic passed the line on the bridle in the featured MJ Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles in Listowel, but that only tells half the story.

Fully six horses held valid chances turning for home approaching the second last hurdle. At this point Ask Vic raced in fifth. She wasn’t fluent at that obstacle, but Paul Townend switched her out to the stands side and asked for an effort at the last.

She was still fifth jumping it, but she flew it and landed full of running and as she quickly scooted past her rivals Townend was motionless as the line loomed. She justified 5/2 favouritism by a length and a half. Curragh Golan at 10/1 from 12s took a second-placed reward. It was another three parts of a length back to Brand Ambassador (13/2) in third.

Paul Townend said: “She did it well and she’s improving. She was plenty keen throughout the race with me so I allowed her to get her second breath turning in.

“We got in a bit of trouble turning in and they got a couple of lengths on me. When I switched out and got a clear run she winged the last and picked up smartly. Hopefully she’ll stay improving.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson