SWAMP Fox, with David Mullins in the saddle, struck a blow for local Horse And Jockey hotelier and race sponsor Tom Egan in the opening Leugh Maiden Hurdle at Thurles on Wednesday. Responding to pressure, he got up between horses in the shadows of the post for a half length win over the well-backed favourite Cradle Mountain.

Trainer Joe Murphy said: “We’ve always loved this horse and he never runs a bad race. We’ll probably aim him at the Fred Winter Hurdle and I think he’ll love Cheltenham and a better run race. Turning into the straight it looked like he was going to be third but it showed the character of the horse that he won.