John Shinnick moved to within one of leader Tiernan Power Roche in the race to be crowned champion conditional, after he partnered Thisistheway to victory in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final.

Trained in Co. Wexford by Yvonne Latta and owned and bred by her husband Charlie, the Doyen six-year-old was last seen finishing a good fifth of 19 at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Sent off a 9/1 chance this afternoon (from 14s early), the homebred bay was given a patient ride by Shinnick, taking closer order from the third last flight.

While not fluent over the next, she soon improved into second and swept to the front on the lengthy run to the last.

Ridden on the run-in, she ultimately found plenty for pressure and was a length-and-a-quarter clear of 80/1 outsider Littlefoot with that one drifting left in the closing stages.

There was a further three-length gap back to Coral River (6/1 from 12s) in third, while Champagne Jury who was returned the 7/2 favourite, finished down the field in 11th.

"It’s a long time in the planning. The minute she came back in to go hurdling this has been the target all along," Andrew Latta, assistant trainer to his mother Yvonne, said.

"To even get here is brilliant but to actually win it is brilliant again.

"She keeps herself fit as she's a box walker, you just have to keep her under control.

"She's not a very good work mare, she leaves it all for the track. This is brilliant.

"She had a very good run the last day and had won in Down Royal previously. She got a good break to keep her fresh and we targeted here.

"I'd say we’ll give her a break now as she’s on the go a while.

"We'll get her back in for early Autumn on good ground and maybe target a couple of bigger pots or black-type races."

Shinnick added: "I'm very thankful for getting the ride. Cian Quirke and Darragh O'Keeffe rode her previously but weren't available, so I filled in and thankfully it worked.

"That's me finished for today, I have one ride tomorrow and hopefully one on Saturday, so I'm going to have to make it count!"

STEWARDS REPORTS

The IHRB Veterinary Officer examined Downmexicoway, trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.

The IHRB Veterinary Officer examined Champagne Jury, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard and coughing post race.

The IHRB Veterinary Officer examined Millforce, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have a slight nasal discharge post race.

K.M. Donoghue, rider of Millforce, trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran disappointingly.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson