Faron, right, chases down Weddell Sea, left© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien's Faron finished off best of all to mow down Weddell Sea close home in the Kilcawley Construction Rated Novice Hurdle at Sligo.
Weddell Sea had worked his way to the front on the run to the final flight and set sail on the run-in, however, Faron stayed on into contention despite a mistake at the last and really found his stride to get up by half a length at 7/1 from the 11/2 runner-up.
Jockey JJ Slevin said: "I tried to steal a few lengths at the start but I was taken on in front and I took back. They ended up going slow. I was in the box seat but they all came around me and I was further back than I wanted.
"He got me out of a hole and came around them and did it well, in fairness.
"The mistake at the last nearly cost him and I was worried but he did well to pick up and go on to win. He had his excuses at Wexford the last day.
"He's a nice horse for this time of the year and if we can find a race like that again, we'll be away."
Faron was found to be clinically abnormal after being pulled up on his last start at Wexford in June. Prior to that, he won a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle by 11 lengths in April.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
