One of five in the line-up for race sponsor JP McManus, Thanksforthehelp finished strongest of all to claim the Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

Down the field when sent off favourite for the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival back in 2023 and last successful at Southwell in April of that same year, the David Pipe-trained eight-year-old was sent off a 14/1 chance today.

Settled behind the leaders by Gavin Brouder and pushed along entering the straight, the grey son of Martaline was short of room on the approach to the final flight.

Soon switched to wide, he finished strongly when ridden on the run-in and eventually came home two-and-a-half lengths clear of Ballysax Hank

The runner-up was returned the 5/1 favourite under Conor Stone-Walsh for Gavin Cromwell, while the fast-finishing Stay Gold (20/1) was another three-and-a-quarter lengths away in third.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Nouvotic (25/1) finished fourth, while Cloonainra who led briefly after the last, faded in the closing stages and ultimately finished fifth.

"On his day he's a decent horse. He probably could have done with the ground being a bit softer but Gavin Brouder gave him a great ride and he battled strongly, and was very brave today," said Pipe.

"We thought he had a decent each-way chance. We had two in the race and the other one finished sixth (American Sniper), he ran well.

"It's lovely to get a winner for JP. We've had some nice winners here in the past and it’s great to have another one."

For his part, Brouder added: "He done it very well. He was a great ride and it was pleasure going around there.

"David just said to me going out that he can be a little bit behind the bridle and that to just keep him together and keep him going. He was brilliant everywhere, he made one mistake down the back but lost no momentum.

"He was good and sharp away. I didn't want him to get worked up, because he was worked up on the way down, so I just stayed away from the rest of them.

"When we jumped off, he had a great run down to the first, winged it and landed in a good position.

"I felt we went a really good gallop, I don't think the pace let up anywhere. I was just trying to creep closer without taking him off the bridle.

"Turning in then he came under pressure and kind of ran out of room, but as soon as he got daylight down to the last, he winged it and took off to the line.

"He was off a good mark for the ability that he had shown. David said he had a wind-op done and that hopefully it would work today for him and it did, thank God.

"The ground is on the safe side of good. They've a beautiful job done, it rode lovely.

"The season started off very well and I rode a couple of winners close together but then it slowed down and I've got two now in the last week, so I'm delighted.

"It's lovely to ride a winner here and lovely to ride an outside winner for JP."

STEWARDS REPORTS

P. Hanlon, rider of Portnacoo, trained by H. Smyth, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.

S.D Greene, rider of Cobra Queen, trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.

The IHRB Veterinary Officer examined Hamsiyann, trained by A.J. Martin, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The IHRB Veterinary Officer examined Fairyland Opera, trained by Mrs Lorna Fowler, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson