Eight Till Late (right) comes through to lead at the last from Phantom Prince (centre) and Face Value© Photo Healy Racing
Eight Till Late ran out a good winner of the Mike Denver Plays 23rd July Handicap Hurdle scoring under Andrew Lynch for Peter Casey.
The seven-year-old son of Desert King won his maiden hurdle over the course last July and he won again at Wexford last month.
He finished a respectable ninth on his last start at Punchestown and he was well-backed today, opening at 12/1 last night, touching 6's on-course before going off an 11/2 chance.
Settled towards rear he improved to take closer from three out and came with his challenge on the outer as they entered the straight.
He hit the front at the last and he kept on well on the run-in to score by two lengths. Phantom Prince (10/1) finished second under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington while the front-running Face Value was a gallant third, a further length and three parts back, under David Splaine for Adrian McGuinness. Golden Ticket (6/1) completed the placings four and a quarter lengths back in fourth while the 4/1 favourite One Cool Princess was a disappointing eleventh under Brian O'Connell for John Joe Walsh.
Peter Casey Junior said afterwards: "Andrew gave him a smashing ride as you can't get there too soon and he dropped him out. His jumping is so good it gets you there and he got to the front too soon at Punchestown.
"He gallops and stays and we'll see what is coming up for him and he'll go over fences later down the line."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
