Blue Mosque a staying on second behind stablemate Fierce Handay at Fairyhouse earlier this month, went one better in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.

The well-backed 6/1 favourite (from 10/1) was patiently ridden by Donagh Meyler and made headway between horses after two out.

The Noel Meade-trained mare responded gamely on the run-in to get up close home for a half a length verdict over The Big Clubman with Duke Silver holding every chance a further length and a quarter back in third and Fad Eadrainn completing the places in fourth.

Meade said, "I was standing beside my nephew David Wright, who is a very lucky guy for me. When he stands beside me we have a winner every time!

“He said to me halfway down the back ‘how are you going?’ and I said ‘I’d need a tin opener to get out of where we are!’ He got the tin opener working alright.

“We’ve rode her forward before and Donagh said the last day he was going to ride her from behind as he thought she’d be better off when ridden that way.

“She ran a helluva good race then. He said today that he was going to do the same thing as she enjoys passing horses. It was a great watch, when they get there.

“It’s an amazing family. Her breeder Christopher McKeever started off with a little mare who wasn’t much good, although she was probably unlucky not to win a race. Everything she’s bred has been incredibly lucky.”

Meyler said, “I got some enjoyment out of that. I just dropped her in and said I’d ride her for a bit of luck.

“She was stepping up to 2m7f today; she travelled and jumped really well throughout the race.

“She was game down to the last and the whole way to the line.”

Quotes by Gary Carson