Kashi runner-up in the Fairyhouse Membership 2023 Handicap Hurdle on this card last year, went one better 12 months later when coming out best in an exciting finish at odds of 12/1.

The Karl Thornton-trained gelding tracked his pace-setting stablemate Don’t Talk before challenging approaching the final flight.

Donagh Meyler ’s mount kept on well on the run-in to just edge out Musta Lovea Lovea by a neck with Don’t Talk only giving best in the closing stages three quarters of a length back in third.

Thornton said, “He won in Cork (last May) and then I went to Hexham with him for a novice hurdle where he was a 1/3 shot. He came out of the back of the horsebox and nearly killed himself. He’s very lucky to be alive and it’s just taken a while to get back where he was.

“He likes it around here and goes on the soft ground. We could go for a good handicap with him.”