The Storyteller powered home on the run-in to grab game front-runner Mary Frances in the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.

Mary Frances bounced out in front in the three-miler and skipped clear going to the fifth last. She had her rivals at work turning for home and still had a healthy advantage over the second last.

Davy Russell started to cut the deficit going to the last on The Storyteller though and he got to the lead on the run-in to secure a length-and-a-half success.

The 6/1 winner had unseated on a visit to the US for the Grand National Hurdle at Fair Hills on his most recent outing in October.

The Storyteller was recording his first win since landing a Grade 1 as a novice at Punchestown in April 2018 and Elliott said:-

"It is hard to place the horse and he is in John Durkan at the weekend but we decided to come here instead as it looks the right type of race for him.

"We'll see how he comes out of this race but he likes Leopardstown and he ran well in that the Savills Chase before.

“He isn't the easiest horse to place because he is high in the handicap and was unlucky not to be second in the American Grand National when he unseated Davy at the last. He is a good money spinner and I'm lucky to have him."

Last season's Grand National third Rathvinden went to post an 11/10 shot for the race but was beaten before the straight and could only finish fourth.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)