It also paid to be in front in race two at Fairyhouse - the extended 2m5f handicap chase - that went the way of 11/10 favourite Evies Vladimir

The in-form seven-year-old looked to have plenty on his plate when Where's Frankie began to challenge after two out, but it was merely an illusion.

Evies Vladimir swatted that effort aside as he readily increased the margin on the pursuers before the last.

He cleared it well and kept on strongly for Keith Donoghue to win by a decisive nine and a-half lengths from the aforementioned Where's Frankie who was readily outgunned at 18/5.

Gavin Cromwell said: “That was grand, he loves that heavy ground. He made a bad mistake at the first, but jumped brilliant after that.

“He bumped into one that last day (second to Bushmans Pass here). We'll see what the handicapper does and we'll have to go up in grade now.”

Evies Vladimir now has two wins and two runner-up berths from his last four outings over fences.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson