Si C'Etait Vrai looked a name for the notebook after opening his account over hurdles at Naas.
The point-to-point graduate had shown plenty of promise when chasing home Hidden Universe in a Limerick bumper last April and was well-backed on course (11/4 into 15/8f) to make his mark today.
Davy Russell produced the French-bred to challenge at the second last and he battled it out with The Bull Hayes on the run to the final flight.
The Gigginstown runner edged ahead at the last and kept on strongly to hold his rival by a length-and-a-half.
20/1 shot Jeunopse showed promise, staying on into third under Nina Carberry.
"He's a proper horse. He's a chaser really and shouldn't be at this at all," said trainer Dessie Hughes of the winner afterwards.
"He probably won't run for a while, before Christmas, He's a nice horse. He jumps well and travels well. He'll probably be a three-mile chaser."
