For Barry Connell and Mark Bolger Enniskerry (5/2) ran out a convincing twelve length victor of the Irish Thoroughbred Agency.org 'Ex Racehorses Finding Their Forever Home' Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

Favourite Western Cowboy was the one to fill the runner-up spot, but there was only going to be one winner when Enniskerry took over two out, and though pressed was going best approaching the last.

Not seen since being pulled up when favourite at Thurles 57 days back, Enniskerry was produced in tip-top shape by Connell for a first win of 2021 for the Boherbaun Stables operator.

"He's a fine horse. He had very good winter form in bumpers - he ran into a good horse of Gavin Cromwell's twice (Letsbeclearaboutit). He was second to him twice,” said Connell.

"The last day in Thurles he was clinically abnormal, he wasn't right. He just had a little heart issue but it resolved itself.

"He was only running on heavy winter ground because we had him in training at that stage.

"He's seven years of age, so coming here I said 'we won't delay him before we go chasing' but we might go for a winners of one and just see what kind of a handicap mark we get.

"He handles this summer ground and we will keep him going.

"We didn't think we would have to come here for a maiden hurdle as a seven-year-old. I thought he would have won long before now. He has a bit of class. He's scopey and he'll jump a fence."

(MG & EM)