After losing a horse yesterday, the Hilary McLoughlin yard received a timely boost this evening, with stable star Howyoulikethat coming from off the pace to comfortably land the William Hill Epic Value Handicap.

Finishing well on his previous two starts at Leopardstown and the Curragh respectively, the son of Requinto was sent off an 11/2 (from 4s early) chance today.

Towards rear and eighth halfway under Chris Hayes, the bay six-year-old made gradual progress on the outer from early in the straight.

Pushed along to lead from the furlong pole, he soon scooted clear, coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths to the good in the colours of the Top Five Syndicate.

. Fools Glory (12/1) filled the runner-up spot under Andrew Slattery, while the Noel Meade-trained Joe Masseria (9/1) was a length away in third.

Sent off the 2/1 favourite, Listowel winner Fernao ran no sort of race and finished last of the 10 runners.

Martin Ferris, partner of the winning trainer, said: "I'm delighted with that, that was the plan. He had a nice run in the Curragh the last day. He's rated 87 and this 90 race was always here.

"We said we'd come here, see how we got on. We thought he'd do what he did today, get a few pounds and get into Galway.

"There is the Colm Quinn Mile Handicap, it's a 0-105 and he probably wouldn't get in off 87. If the ground came up good he'll definitely go to Galway.

"Hilary rides him out everyday and she couldn't be here today, she is at home minding the rest of the stock. We are a small team and are delighted with that.

"We had a big hiccup yesterday, we lost a horse and morale in the yard was very, very low. Hopefully now after this lad winning we can put what happened yesterday behind us and move on."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fernao, trained by W. McCreery, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson