Expensive French recruit Absurde (2/7 fav) landed the Executive Helicopters Sliabh Luachra Novice Hurdle with plenty to spare.

A dual winner and twice runner-up at Listed level on the Flat, the Fastnet Rock gelding tracked the leaders before moving up to challenge the front-running Emily Roebling at the second-last.

In front before the last, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old just needed to be pushed out to beat that rival by three and a quarter lengths.

Formerly trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, Absurde was bought for 260,000 Euros at Arqana last summer.

Winning rider Paul Townend said: “He has a lot to improve on but he was going straight into a novice without a maiden run. He is far from the finished article but there is plenty of ability there.

“Going two and a half miles after coming off the Flat they can tend to latch on but he settled no bother.

“He was novicey at a couple of hurdles but found his way over them and the experience will stand to him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee