Farren Glory led home a one-two for Gordon Elliott in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Elliott fielded three in the Grade One contest, with Jack Kennedy opting to ride 11/2 shot Farren Glory as An Tobar was sent off the 5/2 favourite for Henry de Bromhead.
Rachael Blackmore had the market leader to the fore throughout, disputing the lead with Horantzau D’airy before his early exertions told and he dropped away, leaving An Tobar in the driving seat.
However, King Of Kingsfield was travelling notably well for Elliott and jockey Jordan Gainford and he seized the initiative heading down to the final flight, with Farren Glory jumping the last a bit awkwardly in second.
Despite a slight check on his momentum, Farren Glory found plenty for Kennedy on the run to line, eventually pipping his stablemate by a length and a half, with a further length and a quarter back to An Tobar in third.
The sponsors introduced Farren Glory at 20/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
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Elliott, who also saddled fifth-placed What’s Up Darling, said: “In fairness to Jack, he picked this lad – he had the choice of all three and I wasn’t sure he was on the right one.
“He’s riding out of his skin. There is only one winning line and he gave him a great ride. We knew he stayed well and won over a longer trip the last day.
“This is back where it all started for me. I trained my first Cheltenham Festival winner (Chicago Grey in 2011) for John Earls, a brother of Michael and uncle of Niall, who owns this lad.
“They put a lot into racing with their company Easifix. They have been looking for a good one for a while and we found this one, thankfully.”
Elliott could now look at Grade One dates in Britain over the Christmas period, with Leopardstown’s festive feature not expected to suit quite as well.
“He’s going to have to improve again, as I’d say it wasn’t the strongest Grade One ever, but it is never easy to win them,” the trainer said.
“He did everything wrong in Clonmel. We didn’t want to make the running and we had to, so we were hopeful with a bit of pace today and he sat in behind the leader.
“I’m not sure where he will go next. Leopardstown might not be the track for him on quick ground and I wouldn’t be shocked if we brought him to England for the Tolworth (now the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree) or the Challow.”
Of the runner-up, Elliott added: “King Of Kingsfield ran a big race. He’s still a maiden and Jordan was kicking himself saying he was in front too soon. He could win a big one and will be short in a maiden hurdle the next day!”
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