Supporters of the Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh alliance quickly got back into their stride after the fortnight break when the strongly-backed Arvika Ligeonniere (9/4 in the morning into 1/1) landed the opening Kehoe Ceilings & Partitions Maiden Hurdle by a convincing five lengths at Fairyhouse.

This fellow had disappointed when failing to settle in a bumper at this course, having come from France, where he finished three parts of a length second to fellow debutant, Bleu Et Rose at Auteuil in a two and a quarter mile hurdle.

Mullins commented: "He showed there what we thought he'd do in his bumper. Ruby's objective was to go out there and get him settled and he achieved that. This is his trip (2m 4f) and he'll run again in about another three weeks."