Prince Kup jumps the last just ahead of Holy Water© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Prince Kup made it third time lucky over flights as he took the opener at Gowran, the Thomastown Maiden Hurdle, under Andrew Lynch for Edward O'Grady and the Loumar Partnership.
A winner on the level at Longchamp last year the son of High Rock was second on his debut for O'Grady at Cork in April.
That was also his debut over flights and he was then seventh and second on his next two starts on the level.
Back over hurdles he was a close fifth to Have A Few at Listowel on his most recent outing and Holy Water finished ahead of him on that occasion.
Available at 7/2 in a place this morning he touched a best price of 9/4 on-course before going off the 15/8 favourite.
Settled in mid-division he closed on the leaders before the third last and came with his challenge on the inner at the next.
He hit the front at the last and was pushed out on the run-in to see off Holy Water by three and a half lengths.
The runner-up was returned at 11/4 (opened the 6/4 favourite last night) under Barry Geraghty for Jessica Harrington while Tithonus ran a fine race to take third, a further two and a half lengths back under Kevin Darcy for Denis Hogan at 33/1. Pashtunwali (4/1 last night and from 3's to 2's on-course) came in for plenty of market support but he could only manage a disappointing seventh.
Edward O'Grady said afterwards: "That's the first winner for the Loumar Partnership which includes my wife Maria. They bought a couple of horses hoping to have some fun and trade on.
"He came on for the run at Listowel, and I thought he jumped a bit better when they went faster. He could run back in a flat race."
STEWARDS REPORT
D.J. Mullins, rider of Pashtunwali, trained by Eoin Griffin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran green and jumped very big.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
