Split Ear landed a nice touch when produced with a well-timed run to claim the two-mile handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe. Kilflora looked set for victory after taking it up going into the top bend but couldn't hold the late charge of Tony Mullins' charge.

The Stowaway gelding had been well-backed from 12/1 this morning into 9/2 and was eventually sent off 5/1 on course.

Emmet Mullins made up ground turning for home on his mount and drove him into the lead jumping the final flight.

He galloped on strongly on the run-in to post a two-and-a-half length winning margin.

4/1 favourite Nurse Ryan had travelled well into contention on the bend before crying enough before the last and had to settle for fourth.

The winner had scored over course and distance in May 2010 and came into this off the back of a fair fifth at Cork last month.

"If the handicapper is too hard on him he'll probably go back for a beginners chase. We won't be waiting until next March for one anyway," said Mullins.

"When he was chasing he was a bit slow to get the hang of things over fences but he jumps well.

"He probably wasn't himself last year."

(On course reporting by Thomas Weekes)