Clancy Strand (nearest) leads at last. Nurse Ryan (centre) is just about to crash out© Photo Healy Racing
Clancy Strand was produced with a perfectly timed run by Niall Madden to claim the two-mile handicap hurdle at Naas.
'Slippers', who was riding for his father and namesake, got a nice split on the rail to launch his challenge at the final flight on the JP McManus owned gelding.
Long-time leader Nurse Ryan crashed out there, bringing down Charging Indian and it was left for 7/1 shot Clancy Strand to gallop clear.
The Montjeu gelding stayed on strongly to record a seven-length victory over Rare Symphony (7/2 jf), who had raced prominently and held every chance at the last.
The other market leader Somethingdifferent had also been prominent before eventually finishing fifth.
"That's great. He lost his way a bit last year but we could never find anything wrong," said Madden senior.
"Thank god he's going the right way now. He had a chance after a nice run at Limerick.
"He's handling the ground better this year than he did last year. He'll be kept going and could go chasing."
