THE Ballindenisk committee earned wholesome praise for producing pristine ground conditions at their United Foxhounds-sanctioned fixture on Sunday when handler Michael Mangan sent out a useful prospect in Strengthofmind (10/1), who sprung a surprise with Declan Queally in the four-year-old maiden.

Strengthofmind, having finished ninth to Skatman on his debut at Dromahane three weeks earlier, was always up with the pace and he moved through to challenge Lively Citizen on the run to the penultimate of the 12 obstacles. The winning son of Jeremy hit the front approaching the last before quickening on the flat to beat the patiently-ridden Dreal Deal by a length, the pair returning two lengths clear of the third-placed Lively Citizen.