Philip Dempsey's The Baler had more scope for progression than any of his rivals in the opening KFM Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup and the youngest horse in the line-up got the job done in convincing enough fashion under Jamie Codd at Punchestown.

Hampered at the second, point-to-point champion chasing jockey Codd gave his mount all the time in the world to recover and from some way out it was apparent that he had plenty of horse under him. Allowed stride on from two out, the Tattersalls Farm October 2010 maiden winner could afford the luxury of getting the final fence wrong and a loose horse spurred him to victory over Mr Goodenough

Dempsey said: "We took him to the Brightwells sale at Cheltenham last November but he nearly choked and had colic. We brought him back then and I would have liked to get another run into him before this (finished 10th in the point-to-point bumper at Fairyhouse).

"He wants good ground and we'll probably keep him going over the summer. Hopefully he'll make into a nice horse next year.

"The owner, Ger Langan is a very popular fella and this is the first horse he's had. He lives in a neighbouring parish to me and he is very involved in football.

"He is a Johnstownbridge man, that's the only thing I'd hold against him!"