Drop The Anchor (5/2 into 2/1 jt fav on course) showed the benefit of a couple of placed runs already this autumn when taking the Irish Daily Mirror Handicap Hurdle, continuing a good afternoon between Ireland and Britain for winning owner JP McManus.

The Shantou gelding, winner of a bumper at the Listowel Festival last year, was gaining his first win over hurdles after showing solid form in novice and handicap company.

He was always handy under Mark Walsh (a double on the afternoon), led two out and kept on well in the straight to beat long-time leader Scheu Time (8/1) and the one-paced other 2/1 joint favourite Future Proof by two and a half lengths and half a length.

After finishing third at Listowel in September, the winner (a full-brother to three winners including the useful Lake Takapuna) was second to Pakens Rock at Galway, finishing just ahead of yesterday’s Punchestown winner Anything Will Do.

“It was great to get the win, said winning trainer Pat Fahy.

"He was disappointing enough last year at different times.

“I was delighted with the way he jumped today. He went down to the first at Galway last time and jammed on but sometimes the EasyFix can do that and he jumped very big at Listowel. You can’t afford to do that in a handicap.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee