A jumps first timer after one mid-field run in a bumper, 332 days ago, Crosshill was excellent in the BETDAQ 2 percent Commission Exchange Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

Owned by Ronnie Bartlett and trained by Jessica Harrington, Paddy Kennedy enjoyed a lovely spin on the 4/1 victor.

The successful Sholokhov gelding stamped his authority on proceedings with beautiful leaps over the closing couple of hurdles. The five-year-old had no less than eleven lengths to spare over Vanillier at the line.

"It probably wasn't much of a race but it was a fair performance and we always thought a lot of him,” said Kennedy.

"We fancied him big-time for a bumper at Fairyhouse last year but things didn't go right for him on the day and he had a couple of little niggly problems.

“As it ended up ten winners came out of the race so it was still a very good run but he will improve a lot from today as he wasn't fully tuned and is very smart."

(TW & EM)