The Celtic Tiger has become a real buzz phrase in recent times, and the six-year-old gelding of the same name landed a nice `touch' in the Hillsborough Beginners Chase at Down Royal last night.

Barry Cash's mount, backed from 20 to 1 down to 5 to 1, made all in the two mile event, keeping on well under pressure from two out to beat the 11 to 8 favourite Koko Nor by 15 lengths.

John Coleman representing his wife, Diane, who trains the son of Torus under permit at Donadea in Co Kildare but was unable to make the trip north due to a back problem, said afterwards: "He is a real summer horse and a great jumper. Hopefully there is a two mile chase for him at the Galway Festival."