The Willie Mullin-trained Ninth Loch landed odds of 8/11 in the Kilbeggan bumper but it was far from plain sailing for rider Jody Townend on the free-going four-year-old.

Prominent throughout along with market rival Arabian Diamond the winner looked in trouble when headed and pushed along over two furlongs out but came again to see off his persistent rival by half a length under a mostly hands and heels drive.

“The bit went through his mouth,” reported Townend. “He hung quite badly with me but he got up on the line where it counted.

“I knew he (Arabian Diamond, second) was going to try and make me stay so I tried to sit for as long as I could. He kicked down the bottom of the hill and I waited to have one go at him and it worked.

“He’s a quirky individual and can be quite free at home. Paddy rode him in Punchestown and he was on and off the bridle, he was quite green.

“He learned from that and galloped all the way to the line today. He might run in a Flat race some day.”

Quotes from Alan Magee