A disappointing field of just five lined up for the Listowel Races Supporters Club Slan Abhaile, however there was nothing disappointing about the winner as Pittoni did what was expected of him under Derek O'Connor.
Sent off at the odds of 1/7, the son of Peintre Celebre tracked the leader Idarah in second for much of the race before being produce to challenge a furlong and a half from home.
He then hit the front a furlong from home and stayed on best to score by three lengths at the line from Idarah who kept on to take second at 8/1.
Last year the winner opened the 11/10 favourite in the morning for this race before drifting all the way out to 7/2 at the off. Despite the major market drift he put in a decent performance to finish fourth.
Winning trainer Charles Byrnes said afterwards: "He struggled a small bit on the tacky ground.
"While he is tough and honest he never does much and you just need to make him.
"He is entered in a Grade 2 Hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday week and the Cesarewitch (October 9th) is also possible.
"Derek (O’Connor) said he just had to give him a smack to go on and win."
The win was O'Connor's 100th racecourse winner and Byrnes later joked "that win will get him going!"
