Thunder And Roses was driven out by Johnny King to win the novice hurdle over two miles seven in Navan at odds of 5/1.

He had been runner-up in handicap company over three miles in his last couple of races, but relished today’s ground and trip.

King, in the Gigginstown House Stud colours, gave him a push in mid-division coming to the third last and the six-year-old moved smoothly into contention at the penultimate hurdle. It was just before this flight that Rightdownthemiddle didn’t live up to his name as he veered sharply left and ran out, badly hampering Say It Again

Thunder And Roses was on terms at the last obstacle and King kept him up to his work to repel The Westener Boy who stayed on eye-catchingly for second place at 9/1. The runner-up was beaten a length, but was ahead in front of 11/4 favourite Festive Felon

“He had a good run in the Pertemps qualifier, but he was never going to get in that race [at Cheltenham],” Dessie Hughes said.

“We’ll probably have a look at handicaps for him, but chasing next year will be his real game. Both himself and Somethingwonderful look like they will make lovely chasers.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee