Hemisphere deservedly got his head in front for the first time since scoring at Thurles in December 1996, when landing the featured Elan Midlands National Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan last evening.
Twice a faller with victory in his grasp at Listowel and Sligo this term, Willliamson successfully employed front-running tactics on Dessie Hughes' gelding, and, despite a slight error at the final fence again this time, he stayed on his feet to easily hold off topweight Merry People by six lengths.
"He's been unlucky in the past but Norman was brilliant. He'll go next for the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase," said Hughes.
Tony McCoy, who made the trip for the ride on 9 to 4 favourite Cristys Picnic, who finished a never-threatening 19 lengths third behind the 12 to 1 winner, said: "I was struggling down the back and was never going to get to the leader."
In-form Barry Geraghty helped himself to a double sparked off on Killenaule permit holder Eddie Hayden's Ahead Of The Posse, who made most of the running to hold off Anshar in the Tom McCormack Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle.
Geraghty recorded his 10th victory of the campaign when making all aboard Noel Meade's Luna Fleur to hold off Choice Jenny by a head in the Coola Handicap Hurdle.
