The 5/4 favourite Flanking Maneuver was a smooth winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase for Noel Meade and Gigginstown House Stud.

The second-season novice was held up in touch and jumped well for Michael O'Sullivan. A good leap two out took the Beat Hollow gelding to the front and he was pushed out to beat Digby by five lengths.

“It was very straight-forward and rode like a piece of work,” said O'Sullivan.

“A massive thanks to Noel Meade and connections, it's lovely to get the ride.

“He's a classy horse and it got him through, I'd say there is plenty of improvement in him.

“He had loads of graded form so I suppose we'd have been disappointed if he did anything less but the way he did it so smoothly was impressive.”

Meade, speaking minutes later from the Curragh where he saddled juvenile debut winner Letherfly added: “I was hoping he’d put in a clear round and he did it well.

“He’s not been the easiest to train and had an infection in his foot.

“We could look at races like the Florida Pearl and the three-mile at Christmas.”

Flanking Maneuver is 16/1 (from 20/1) for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham with Paddy Power.

Quotes from Gary Carson