Tom Taaffe was full of praise for Paul Townend after the former champion produced Heaney with a well-timed challenge to justify 9/2 favouritism in the Follow Gowran On Facebook Handicap Hurdle.

The five year-old was put to sleep out the back in this three mile event, and gradually creeped into contention entering the straight.

Townend sent him past long-time leader Bat Masterson (8/1-5/1) just before the final flight, and held the renewed effort of that rival by three-quarters of a length. Liberty Counsel (8/1) was a further length and three quarters back in third, with Face Facts (12/1) completing the placings in fourth.

Declan Lavery took a nasty fall from Tillahow who slipped up off the home turn, and he was taken to hospital for examination.

Taaffe said, "I don't know how many winners Paul will ride this year but he won't give one a better ride than that. When your going down the back with only one behind you have to find the room, and to be fair he had the horse underneath him.

"He's improving and is a chaser. The experience that he's gained stood him in good stead today, and he may go to Cheltenham later this month."

(AM & GC)