Eight Till Late, far side, outguns Stooshie© Photo Healy Racing
Just the four horses went to post for the featured rated hurdle in Punchestown and all four held a chance turning in but Eight Till Late forged on best.
The strong-travelling 10-year-old, with Conor Orr in the plate, held a narrow advantage off the home bend as Stooshie challenged him on the run to the final flight.
There was little between the pair jumping it but Eight Till Late (7/2) found plenty in the final 100 yards to put four lengths on 6/4 favourite Stooshie at the line, for handler Francis Casey.
Conor Orr said: “It went very straightforward for him today and I got a lovely lead into the race. It was ideal that Davy (Russell, on Stooshie) came up on my outside and just helped me along into the last and he went away well.
“I’ve had a couple of nice runs on him without winning and I was just glad to get in front today.”
Veteran 13-year-old Hidden Cyclone came in third after which he was retired by Shark Hanlon.
He won 15 National Hunt races and another couple on the Flat in an illustrious career.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
