Kieran Callaghan drove Willie Mullins' Inclusion home to take the five-year-old and upwards maiden hurdle in Downpatrick.

The 9/4 joint favourite made headway into third at the final flight and came home best to lead in the closing stages.

The five-year-old mare scored by half a length from joint favourite Sam's Choice Ashlia Dancer was three and a half lengths back in third at 28/1.

Kieran Callaghan said: "I knew there would be plenty of pace, so I was happy enough to take a sit on her and just follow the leaders away.

"I jumped away well and she found a small bit of trouble coming down the hill, but when the two boys in front of me went for their horses I was happy enough that they weren't going to pick up enough to hold my mare off.

"When you are on one of Willie's, it is easy to do that (ride with confidence).

"The horse that beat her the last day is after winning a Listed hurdle since. She wouldn't have had to improve anything drastically to do that there today.

"She is improving with every run that she has had for Willie, so there's no reason why she won't stay improving and pick up another few wins."

The Stewards interviewed J.W. Kennedy, rider of Sam's Choice, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of Regulation 10 and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that J.W. Kennedy was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record they suspended him for five racedays.