Loughnagall (7/1) fended off fast-finishing Tico by putting in a good jump at the last to land the spoils in the three mile handicap hurdle at Clonmel.

Five-pound claimer Robert Jones kept the eight-year-old gelding up to his work after the last to hit the winning post half-a-length and one-and-a-quarter-of-a-length to the good over the closing Tico (6/1) and Days Of Glory (14/1).

The winner was backed in from 10/1 on course and is trained by Adrian Murray who commented: “On his last run (second at Kilbeggan) he had a chance here.

“He needs good ground and he will run again in a hurdle if the ground stays dry. Chasing is his game and he’ll jump a fence in time.

“Eamonn Finn part owns him. He’s from Ballymahon, Co Longford, and trained point-to-point winners and winners on the track in the past.”

Runner-up Tico was also well-supported from 12/1 in the morning to an SP of 6/1. Ferris Bueller was sent off 5/1 favourite but weakened out of contention to finish seventh. He was found to be blowing hard post-race.

Michael Graham