Most Honourable a course and distance winner last August, struck again at Tramore when taking the two-mile handicap hurdle on today's card under Rachael Blackmore. Masterchippy won the early battle for the lead and set a strong pace. He gave way going to the second last, however, as Blackmore sent her mount into the lead.

The 'Shark' Hanlon-trained gelding kept on well over the final flight to record a length-and-a-half victory over 5/1 favourite Scenic Star

The 8/1 winner had finished well-beaten on his last start, at Down Royal just two days ago.

"He ran at Down Royal on Monday and I gave out about the ground there and him winning today just proves I was right,” said Hanlon.

“The jockeys said that the ground was good at Down Royal but if the ground was good he would have won there. I had a winner in Down Royal and he wouldn't have handled the ground if it was good.

"This fellow needs good ground and I'm just hoping that all the tracks don't go watering. We had a long enough winter. I don't mind good safe ground but this thing of overwatering tracks in the summer is a disaster for people that have summer horses.

"He will probably go chasing now after that. He loves this place and he will probably come back here in August or something like that.

“Rachael gave him a great ride. He jumped brilliant for her and travelled brilliant.

"I thought before Down Royal that we might pick up two with him in a couple of days because he was in great form at home.

“They don't all have to cost €100,000, he only cost €600!”

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)