Birchdale justified strong late support when running out a convincing winner of the opening Pigsback.com Risk Of Thunder Chase at Punchestown.

Trained by legendary banks handler Enda Bolger, the J.P. McManus owned nine-year-old was supported from 9/2 into 5/2f to deliver at a discipline both men have made their own over the years.

A Grade 2 winner over hurdles for Nicky Henderson as a novice, the son of Jeremy rather lost his way for a time, before being reignited following the switch to Bolger.

Having won a Graded handicap chase at Leopardstown in February 2022, Birchdale continued to run well in decent company in subsequent outings.

A first foray over the banks course at Punchestown saw him finish fifth at the festival last April. With the benefit of that experience to call upon, he looked much more like the finished article on this occasion, jumping and travelling well before being produced to challenge leader Vital Island off the home turn.

Leading on the run to the last, the Simon Torrens ridden gelding quickened right away to score by three-and-a-half lengths.

Enda Bolger said: “He was enjoying it anyway which with those horses is the main thing and the third horse ran well too. Vital Island is a good old yardstick to know where you are going.

“We might have a look at Cheltenham in December but he likes it anyway which is the main thing and he’d like a bit of nicer ground in the spring.

“We couldn’t even dream of going to Cheltenham for the last two years taking on them other horses which were in a different ballpark.

“It was Mica Malpic rsquo;s first time around here and Darragh (O’Keeffe) said he finished it out well and was warming up to it. He’d also like good ground but he enjoyed it and will be back again.

“He’d 12 stone as well and had to give 10lb to Birchdale.

“The new layout seemed to ride well. There are no sharp bends and everyone got around safely which is the main thing.”

Paddy Power introduced Birchdale into their Cross Country Chase market at 33/1.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.