Lord Windermere a three-time winner over hurdles last season including a Listed event at Punchestown, opened his account over fences in the Ballymaloe Country Relish Beginners Chase.

The Jim Culloty-trained gelding was produced to challenge at the last by Tom Doyle, and the 9/4 favourite kept on well on the run-in to beat the staying on Marasonnien (5/2), who appeared to get outpaced early in the straight, by two lengths.

The always prominent Star Neuville (12/1) could find no extra on the run-in to finish a further length and a half back in third.

Culloty said, “He ran two blinding races over fences before this. He’ll get three miles in time but, on this ground, I didn’t want to subject him to a gruelling race.

“I’ll chat with the owner to see where we go but over that distance he’s only getting going at the end. He handles that ground well, and I won’t run him on fast ground. He’s got a bright future.”