Eoin McCarthy saddled his first winner under rules as Pound A Stroke caused a 40/1 upset in the Templemore Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

McCarthy, who trains near Athea in Co. Limerick, has enjoyed success on the point field in the past but this gelding sporting first-time cheek-pieces opened his account on the track.

The five-year-old and Ard Na Carraig settled down to battle it out from the second last, and Kevin Brouder’s mount was really tough on the run-in.

He forged on strongly in the closing stages to score by two lengths, with Killahara Castle another four and a quarter lengths back in third and Paddy’s Orient completing the places in fourth.

McCarthy said, "That's my first track winner but I've had 9 or 10 point to point winners. We mainly sell horses and I begged the lads (Transatlantic Syndicate) to sell this fellow after his Kilbeggan bumper fourth placing but thank god they held on to him!

"We have ten three-year-old's to point to point in the spring."

(TW & AM)