Sole Witness
(Healy Racing Photos)

Hidden Present and Ballinahow Lady cut out the running in the two-and-a-half mile contest and had the field at work turning for home.

Ben Dalton chased them down, on Sole Witness, at the second last fence however and his mount asserted before the last.

Dalton could afford to ease down in the closing stages to post a four-length win over Ballinahow Lady.

The runner-up just held the late charge of 5/1 joint favourite Mr Goodenough, who made late ground after racing in rear.

Clashnabrook was the other market leader but was pulled up.

16/1 shot Sole Witness was bouncing back to form having been mid-division on his return to action over hurdles at Down Royal last month.

“He was to run in the Troytown here last month but scoped badly on the Monday before the race so wasn't even entered,” revealed McBratney.

“Hopefully we'll have a crack now at the Thyestes. He got a great ride from Ben who took his time. He stays well and jumps well out of this ground.

“It's amazing that he can't win off a rating of 101 over hurdles but he just likes a fence.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)