IT was a day to live long in the memory for Clare-born rider Diarmuid Moloney who partnered his first winner on the track when Brandy Harbour bolted up in the 80-95 rated Mr Binman Christmas Festival Handicap Hurdle.

The 24-year-old rider, who has a pointing success to his name and spent a spell across the water with Paul Nicholls, could hardly have hoped for a smoother first success on the track. A runner-up at Galway on his last two starts, the experienced Brandy Harbour was returned the 3/1 favourite to record his first win in 11 months. Grainne O’Connor’s charge, who is owned by the Latin Partnership, led inside the final mile en route to defeating Shean Glory by 14 lengths The winner was showing notable versatility to win over this two-mile trip having shown up so well over three miles on her previous outing.