Willie Mullins' Zarak The Brave (4/6f) showed impressive pace to land Fairyhouse's Starting Point 3YO Maiden Hurdle today, under champion jockey Paul Townend.

Bought for €200,000 last May having shown smart French flat form, Zarak The Brave winged the first, raced mid-division and accelerated past inferior rivals in the final half-mile, winning by ten lengths.

Paddy Power cut the Munir/Souede-owned gelding to 12/1, from 20s, for Cheltenham's Triumph Hurdle and Townend later said “I thought they went a good gallop and he did things right.

“I was surprised with the turn of foot he showed and it landed me in front very quickly. He stayed at it well and I think there is a bit to work with there as well; you'd like him.

“He winged the second-last and it was a matter of getting over the last. He's going to come on from it, there was nothing spectacular but you'd like what he did at the last as well. He's a nice prospect.”

Quotes from Gary Carson