The Henry De Bromhead trained Our Dougal battled back gamely to beat Tajseer in the Taste @downroyal Maiden Hurdle.

Beaten a neck by Time For Bucks on his last start at Tramore in May of 2015, the six-year-old son of Excellent Art was sent off the 9/4 favourite (was as short as 6/4 last night) this evening with Andrew Lynch in the saddle.

Sent straight to the front, the Lorraine Mangan owned victor was joined by Tajseer from the second last.

Our Dougal made a bad mistake at the last, and this left Tajseer in front, but to his credit the winner battled back gamely, getting up close home to prevail by a head.

Tajseer was returned at 10/3 under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott, while the front pair went ten lengths clear of Banker Burke (14's to 10's on-course) who was third under Ger Fox for John Larkin.

Andrew Lynch said afterwards: "He just missed the last, he would probably be a better horse going the other way around.

"It's his first run back so he is bound to improve. He battled on well and Henry thought he would run well. It's lovely ground."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham