Knockrea (nearest) battled with Tongie © Photo Healy Racing
Knockrea battled on well to land the spoils in the opening Ardfinnan Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.
Terence O'Brien 's charge was returning to the track having had a couple of point-to-point runs last month and attracted support before racing from 7/1 into 9/2.
He tracked the leaders, under Adrian Heskin, in the 2m3f contest before tackling Tongie at the second last.
There was nothing to choose between the pair over the final flight but Knockrea stayed on best in the closing stages for a two-and-a-quarter length victory.
The winner had been a decent third over timber at Tipperary last April. He fell in a point-to-point at Liscarroll last month having been runner-up at Lemonfield three weeks earlier.
"He always found something to beat him last year and was then out for a while but had the form in the race, if he put it together," said O'Brien.
"I tried to sneak a point-to-point win with him (recently) when he wasn't fit but it didn't work out.
"He'll go for a handicap hurdle at Punchestown next." Robin Des People sent off the 5/2 favourite, lead until the top turn and eventually faded to finish seventh.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
