Joint-owner John Sinnott with Churchtown Glen© Photo Healy Racing
Churchtown Glen stayed on stoutly at the end of two and a half miles to score in Wexford. Sullane Hill led approaching the last but no less than three horses were in behind him with a chance in this maiden hurdle.
The leader fiddled the last as Churchtown Glen landed full of running on his inside. He tackled Sullane Hill halfway up the run-in and drew on by a length and a quarter at the line.
The winner was returned at 3/1 from the 11/4 favourite. Catch My Drift was a length and three quarters further back in third at 16/1.
Trainer Mick Winters said: "He (Donie McInerney) gave him a peach of a ride. The winning line is up an awful lot further up the straight than you'd think. I was watching it from the stands and didn't realise it.
"He coaxed him around, he rode a point-to-point race. He rode him to get the trip. I'd say he is only a horse who is trying to decide whether he likes the game or not. Donie gave him the best ride he has given in a long time.
"He is awesome over a fence. He was going point-to-pointing if he didn't win today. His handicap mark will be low so I'd suppose he will be able hurdle away for a while.
"They are making a great effort with these average horses with the races they have now. It means you can be competitive, you don't mind not winning but you'd like to be competitive."
There was early drama in the race as front-running Captain Leo fell at the sixth bringing down Jimmy Rabbitte and Tillys Delight
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
