Rae's Creek approaches the hill in Downpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
Rae's Creek landed a gamble in Downpatrick when proving too strong for Vercingetorix in The Win A Meerkat Toy Hurdle.
Jessica Harrington 's charge had been off track for 297 days but didn't show any ring-rustiness on his return to action.
He was left in the lead when The Bosses Cousin fell at the first. Vercingetorix, the 5/4 favourite tracked him throughout but had no answers after the second last. He did stay on up the hill to get within a neck at the line but he was never nearer than that.
The winner was backed from 7/2 to 5/2 before racing and from 15/8 to 6/4at the track.
Jockey Mark Walsh said: "I wanted a lead but I got a few breathers into him on the way round. He jumped well on only his third run over hurdles. He was idling a bit and got a bit tired but lucky we got to the line in front. He's a big galloping horse and could be a Galway horse."
