A big field of 17 went to post for the qualified riders’ maiden in Leopardstown, but Saint Gervais came through to win a shade cosily.

Derek O’Connor, who was 1lb over weight on John Kiely’s nine-year-old gelding, set off in pursuit of clear leader Draco over a furlong out. He soon reeled him in and forged on well to win by three and a half lengths at 9/1.

John Kiely said: “He got a bit jarred after a fall at Punchestown and it took him a while to recover. Hopefully he’ll be okay tomorrow and he’ll mix it over the summer when hopefully we’ll get a little cut in the ground.”

Draco at 8/1 hit the line in second. He was half a length up on Silverpockets (22/1) who stayed on for third. Fourni was the money horse as her odds tumbled from 7/2 in morning trading to an SP of 7/4f. She kept on at the same pace in the final furlong to be fifth.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee