The Philip Rothwell-trained Warm in Gorey came with a strong surge on the run-in to claim a deserved victory in the ladies handicap hurdle at Punchestown.

Joanna Walton held her mount up in rear in the early stages of the two-mile-three contest before making up ground jumping the second last.

The Sageburg gelding gave chase to Rathnaleen Kal running to the second last and stayed on well to grab that rival in the closing stages and record a half length win at odds of 11/2.

Warm in Gorey had been runner-up on his most recent start at Wexford having also been second on two previous occasions.

“I'm delighted with that. The lads (Carrigroe Gaels Syndicate) have been great, he's been second three times.

“Every day he was second I'd say that the horse that beat him was progressive. He was sneaking up along the handicap and I didn't see anything for him for three weeks bar this race.

“When it cut up to be a small field I thought it was an opportunity to drop him in. If there had been 20 runners I wouldn't have bothered trying it.

“Phidelma (Elvin) would normally ride all mine in ladies races but she was booked to ride JP's earlier in the week and I wasn't expecting to run at that stage. Joanna has been lucky for me in the past.

“We ran him in the winter a few times and it would rain everyday before we run him and he likes good ground. He's actually been very consistent on good ground, I think he had one bad run in Down Royal.

“I'd say the lads would love to go to Galway or we might have a look at a conditions chase. Funnily enough I'd say the syndicate that is involved would be well able to drink pints in Galway!”