A €65,000 acquisition from the 2017 edition of the Derby Sale, Ashtown Lad has proven himself to be a very progressive individual, showing improvement in each of his outings to date culminating in a taking 18-length success at Knockinroe. Having ended last season chasing home Offallthejinjoints, a debut winner over hurdles at Chepstow recently, the son of Flemensfirth was expected to produce a big display on his return at the Tipperary course, and he did not disappoint his followers. Making all of the running, he jumped from fence to fence and began to stamp his authority on the race from the third last, before simply pulling further and further clear.