Dessie Hughes and Bryan Cooper sealed a Kilbeggan double on the evening when Eyre Apparent kept up a good gallop to take the two mile six furlong maiden hurdle.

The 6/4 favourite, backed in from 7/4 led and noticeably had the competition hard at work three out. At the business end of the race the six-year-old gelding was a length and a half up on Upthecats (16/1) who was the only horse to make any sort of challenge.

It was nine lengths back to Father Shine in third at 5/1 under Mick Darcy.

Dessie Hughes said: “That’s perseverance. He’s a good stayer. He really wants it firm but he managed it OK.

“He jumped really well. I’ll probably look for a staying handicap hurdle.

“Chasing should be his game next season.”

The ground was changed to yielding to soft after the fourth race.

Michael Graham