Beaten a long way at Fairyhouse last month, Firm Footings (10/3) was much better when landing the first division of the Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle.

The Walk In The Park gelding, third in a hot maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas, was prominent throughout under Jordan Gainford and led from the third. Narrowly headed by odds-on favourite Horantzau D'airy at the second-last, he was back in front early on the run-in and stayed on well to defeat the market leader by a length.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: “He's a grand horse and he probably wants further but he has a good attitude. He gallops and jumps.

“Jordan said he would have been an unlucky loser as he left his hind legs in the second last.

“The ground was very soft the last day but he ran well. He's run his race every day.

“I thought this might be a bit short for him but I needed to get a fourth run into him to qualify for the handicaps at Cheltenham.”

Quotes from Gary Carson