Great Khan and Philip Enright© Photo Healy Racing
With a first-time tongue-strap on Great Khan made the breakthrough at the eleventh attempt in the Derrygrath Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.
Philip Enright was aboard the 9/2 shot for the third time here and down to two miles he reversed course form with Giant Spirit from January.
Trained by Edward O'Grady for his son Jonathan, Great Khan was travelling better than Giant Spirit from before the second last and he found enough on the run-in for a length and a half win.
There was a gap of thirty one lengths to Rough Night in third.
"He's had ten runs and eight places so was nearly entitled to win one. He might go for a little winners race next before he goes chasing," said Edward O'Grady.
"There was no particular reason (he carried a first-time tongue-tie) but I thought he stopped a bit quick, but it was two and a half miles.
"Philip (Enright) came back in the last day and he said he'd have won at two miles so I thought we'd give him every chance back over two miles and he was proved right. That was Philip's feeling and fair dues to him. It's Philip's first winner for me."
The Stewards fined Edward U.Hales, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Rough Night, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.
The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
R. Loughran, rider of Mohart trained by James Daniel Dullea, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left.
(TW & EM)
