There may have been some doubts regarding the suitability of the ground for him but Ballyadam Brook brushed those aside to bring his winning sequence to four in the South West Bins Novice Hurdle at Listowel.

His rider Paul Townend got the Alderbrook gelding racing on a nice strip of ground well away from the rail but when he kicked the third last hurdle out of the ground supporters of the favourite may have been worried. They were even more concerned going to the next with Takeyourcapoff looming up but that one stumbled at the back of the penultimate flight and got rid of Robbie Power.

From there on Ballyadam Brook went on to see off Cass Bligh by six lengths. Hasaratan was fatally injured when pulling up four out.

Winning trainer Terence O’Brien said: "I'm delighted with that as Paul said he hated the ground, he'd want it looser. He said that he asked him three out when he shouldn't have and that he was surprised that he picked up so well after that. He also felt that he had plenty of horse under him when the other horse (Takeyourcapoff) came to him.

"Tipperary in October and possibly Cheltenham the following month would be on our minds now."

Townend meanwhile said: "He is a lovely horse. He is an improving novice and is doing everything right."