Imperial Joey ran out a wide margin winner of the Monster Raffle Handicap Hurdle on just his third start for Philip Rothwell.

Formerly trained by Michael Flannery and his owner Michael Cawe, the eight-year-old son of Imperial Ballet finished a decent fourth to Ballyspellan Lad on his last outing at Kilbeggan, and he was sent off at 8/1 this afternoon.

Without a win in twenty-six career starts, the bay gelding made virtually all today, stretching clear on the run-in, coming home a very easy sixteen length winner under Andrew Ring. Cyras Love was sent off the 3/1 favourite and she finished back in second under Shane Butler for Seamus Fahey, while Brian The Warrior (17/2) was half a length back in third under Jody McGarvey for Des McDonogh.

Andrew Ring, who was recording his first winner since May, said afterwards: “He ran at Kilbeggan and was dropped a pound for that, and I took seven off him today.

"On his hurdles form he was good enough to win today. He ran over two mile at Kilbeggan and they went a little quick for him and he didn’t get home.

"That’s my tenth winner, and my third of the season. Hopefully I will get going now with outside rides.

"I’m based with Philip Rothwell and I’m getting plenty of experience with him."

Rothwell joked afterwards: "I’m going to get Andrew a set of wing mirrors for Christmas!", before he added: "He jumped very well and I knew he stayed well.

"He just made a mistake at the second last at Sligo before he ran well at Kilbeggan, and I thought he would win here today.

"His owner, Michael Cawe, is from Mayo and this is his first horse with me."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham