The Grade 3 'For Auction' Novice Hurdle over 2m saw stable companions Il Fenomeno and Dylan Ross battle out the finish with the former staying on best on the run-in under Davy Russell to score by a length and three quarters.
Both geldings trained by Noel Meade had won their maiden hurdles last time out at Fairyhouse and Punchestown respectively.
The winner Il Fenomeno was well supported in the market. Having opened this morning at 11/2 he opened on track at just 11/4. He was then punted on track from 11/4 into 13/8 favourite.
Having come from his homeland of Italy last year Il Fenomeno finished fifth on his first start in Ireland at Fairyhouse in April in a Grade 2 Hurdle.
He then ran in the Grade 1 Evening Herald Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May finishing fourth behind Shot From The Hip.
On his first start this season he won his maiden hurdle at Punchestown beating Run With The Wind by a neck and followed up on that victory this afternoon.
He raced in second for much of the race today behind leader Owega Star He moved into the lead two out and kept on well under pressure to fend off the challenge of his stablemate Dylan Ross at 2/1 with Paul Carberry aboard.
Winning trainer Noel Meade said afterwards: "It's not ideal running two in a race as one gets beat.
"I didn’t think they would finish first and second. If anything I thought it might be the other way around.
"The winner is a tough horse and Davy (Russell) said he found plenty when he asked him. He will be a contender wherever he goes now and he might go for the Royal Bond.
"We will go a different route with Dylan Ross. I know he is a good horse and I think he will get further."
