Trainer Oliver McKiernan was pleasantly surprised by the win of his returning Unexpected Depth (8/1 - 12s) at Punchestown today, as the 431-days absent gelding defied top weight to win the Buy Irish Love Green Handicap Hurdle under 7lbs claimer James Reilly.

The six year old son of Shantou gained consecutive wins in August and September 2019 and today returned from a layoff to move past Se Mo Laoch on the run-in and score a two and a half lengths win.

McKiernan later reported “I have to say we weren't expecting that.

“He had some niggly problems but he seems to be 100 percent now. He's hard on himself as well, he doesn't relax much.”

He added “we knew he stayed three miles but it was always on good ground he was finishing strongly. Even at home on deep sand he wouldn't be that comfortable on it. We didn't think he was as ready as he is either.

“James (Reilly) works for us in the yard and that's his first ride since October and it suited to take 7lbs off him.

“We'll look for something around Christmas, now that he shows he handles softish ground as well as that.

“We're delighted because it's a long time since we were in the winners' enclosure here. It does everybody in the yard good.”

Quotes from Gary Carson