James "Brien" Kane partnered his first winner when giving As de Pique a fine ride to take the Barclay IT Services Handicap Chase at Down Royal.

Kane (22), from Navan, sent the ten-year-old gelding to the front approaching two out and he shrugged off the challenge of 11/8 favourite Five O'Clock Tea to beat that rival by six and a half lengths. Russian Regent was another four and a quarter lengths back in third.

The well-backed 4/1 chance gained his only previous win in a point-to-point at Oldtown last year and, following a 14-month lay-off, made a pleasing reappearance when second at Punchestown recently.

Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said, "I'm delighted with that. He could go to Punchestown on Wednesday. I've always loved him, and bought him for small money. He had problems and had been off the track for over 400 days before his comeback run in Punchestown.

"Brien came to work for me four months ago. That's his second ride over fences and his first came on this horse in Punchestown."

(MG & AM)