For the first time in a while The Fonze (has gained wins at Clonmel, Tramore and Gowran) ventured a bit further away from his home in Kilkenny but that proved to be no barrier to success for the very-likeable Desert Sun gelding as he gained the thirteenth win of his career in the Guiness Hurdle.

Shay Barry arrived to challenge on the versatile nine-year-old in the straight and he led before two out. Eoin Doyle's charge jumped his hurdles brilliantly and he ended up crossing the line a little bit more decisive a winner than the half a length margin would suggest. Outsider Auenschutze ran creditably to take the runner-up spot.

An understandably happy winning trainer said: "He's a right one. The Galway Plate is a possibility, maybe if he got in around eleven stone, which could be optimistic. He'll go for something over there anyway. He was well-in today I'd suppose and hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him as he only won half a length."

The lucky winning owner, Jamie Dunphy is from Eoin Doyle's home village, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny.