Shanbally Kid, near side, delivers his winning move at the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Gigginstown House Stud were back in the winners enclosure with Willie Mullins when Shanbally Kid justified favouritism in the two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Navan.
The five-year-old gelding was up in trip after finishing fourth over two miles in Limerick last month.
He clearly relished the extra distance as he was only fifth after third last but made relentless headway upon hitting the rising ground to lead narrowly at the last.
He weas driven out on the run-in by Paul Townend as the pair swept home by a length and three parts at 11/10. Monty's Star took the runner-up berth at 7/1 and was a length clear of Hemlock (4/1) who scooted through on the inner to lead at the penultimate flight but was then caught by Shanbally Kid over the last.
"It took me a while to get him jumping to be honest,” said Townend.
“I was probably there a bit soon on him as he didn't do a whole lot when he hit the front, but I was always holding them behind me.
“He's still quite a raw individual. I kind of settled the race really quickly and then he was just doing enough. I'd say there is a bit more in the tank.
“I was losing a length throughout the race jumping so I thought I couldn't go to the last a length down.
“The further he went the better he jumped, he'll be fine and should progress again.
“You'd be going out in trip with him rather than back, I'd think.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
