Sheamus stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to grab the spoils late on in the concluding bumper at Galway this evening. Princely Conn hit the front over three furlongs from home in the winners contest and looked set for victory when kicking on entering the straight.

Johnny King got a good tune from Sheamus in the straight, however, and the Dessie Hughes-trained gelding ran on well inside the final furlong to get up close home and score by a head.

The 7/2 winner was following up on a good performance to win a Kilbeggan bumper last month.

“He has a turn of foot and stays and goes on the ground,” said Hughes.

“I thought he had a chance but didn't think he'd beat Willie's mare. He'll go hurdling now.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Lyrical Theatre was sent off the even-money favourite but could only finish eight-lengths adrift of the leading pair in third.

The winning Slaneyville Syndicate hail from Tullow and formerly owned good chaser Schindlers Hunt. Lar Byrne, owner of Hardy Eustace, is among the members.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)