Champ Kiely looked a novice capable of mixing it with the very best this winter when running out an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel Novice Hurdle at Tipperary.

Now unbeaten in three starts under rules, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding made all and had his rivals in trouble early in the straight.

A big jump 2 out sealed the race and he kept on powerfully under Danny Mullins to win for the second time over flights. Brazil stayed on best of the rest to occupy the runner-up spot, with Hubrisko a stablemate of the winner, back in third.

“He was very good. He showed his stamina in Galway and backed up that with speed today. He's ticking a lot of boxes,” said Danny Mullins.

“He looks to be going the right way. Off a strong pace he quickened which not many can do.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson