Benevolent a disappointing fourth when odds-on for a Downpatrick bumper last month, came good when making a winning start over hurdles in the two-mile maiden at Fairyhouse.

Davy Russell’s mount hit the second last when just striking the front but that made little difference as the champion drove him out on the run-in to prevail by two and a quarter lengths from Dale Street (7/2). Appletime (8/1) was a further three and a half lengths back in third, while the front-running grey Kims Fancy set a good pace. She had the field well strung out before the home turn but weakened before the last to finish fourth.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said, “I don’t know what happened him in the north (Downpatrick). He had worked really well beforehand. It looked a terrible race but maybe the winner is not that bad. Anyway he was beaten after just two furlongs.

“I’d say he doesn’t take a whole lot of work and probably needs further. Hopefully he jumps fences the way he jumps hurdles, he’s some leaper! It was an ordinary race and he will have to improve to be a novice horse.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson