The maiden Texard made the breakthrough in style, against winners, when slamming the opposition in the Happy New Year From MansionBet Rated Novice Hurdle at Cork. Carrigmoorna Pine was there with every chance when falling two out, and the Gordon Elliott-trained and Jack Kennedy-ridden Texard was soon in control of the small field two miler.

In receipt of weight the victorious Kapgarde gelding certainly made it count and it was no surprise to those that supported him down from a ‘show’ of 5/1 into a returned 11/4 second favourite.

At the line he had no less than eight and a half lengths to spare over market-leader Fauguernon

"On ratings he was entitled to go close and he had plenty of experience but just wasn't finishing out his races that well. We said we'd ride him from the front and try to keep filling him and filling him," said Elliott.

"Some of these horses that come from France just take a bit of time and I was happy with him there and he seemed to love that ground. It was a good performance and Jack said he was happy enough (when Carrigmoorna Pine fell) but said he couldn't say whether or not he'd still have won. The second last is a long way from the line at Cork.

"We'll look for something small again next.

"He wears three-quarter shoes in front as he clips himself and both front shoes are the same."

(TW & EM)