Staging Post and Phillip Enright (right) jump the second-last © Photo Healy Racing
Staging Post sprang a 28/1 surprise in the Forth Mountain Walking Trail (C & G) Maiden Hurdl
The winner got a nice through on the inside in the home straight and stayed on well to collar The Virginian (10/3), who had got in as a reserve, by three quarters of a length.
The 4/6 favourite Luck Tenner looked held when falling at the last.
A nicely-bred son of Cape Cross, the Mark McNiff-trained 5-year-old had landed a bumper at his local track of Sligo last year and this was a big step-up from his first run over hurdles, when beaten 60 lengths at Fairyhouse back in April.
It was a first winner since September for Strandhill-based McNiff, who had a fine spell of form when racing resumed last June.
Winning rider Phillip Enright (seventh winner since returning from injury less than a fortnight ago), said: "He battled on well. He won a bumper last year and likes a bit of nice ground.
"He was a bit keen the last day so Mark said to try and get him switched off first today and creep away. I got a lovely split going to the last, he picked up well and galloped away to the line.
"Mark is a summer trainer and his horses seem to hit form this time of the year. Hopefully this fella can go on from here."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
