Schooling over fences at home helped Catch Me s jumping according to trainer Edward O'Grady as his charge landed the Grade 2 Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle by a convincing seven lengths from Whatuthink

Andrew McNamara 's mount travelled strongly through the contest, led before the last, and went away on the run-in.

O'Grady commented: "His jumping was better, he jumped twenty seven fences at home and the schooling over fences has helped him. I had it in the back of my mind to send him at that game if he disappointed here.

"There is more to come now hopefully and this helped to establish that he's back to his best. The Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse will be next and if he goes to Cheltenham it'll probably be for the Champion Hurdle though the two and a half miler at Liverpool would probably be more his cup of tea."

Whatuthink and Give It Time both ran big races in second and third whilst Kazal couldn't change gear up the straight, finishing fourth. The biggest disappointment of the contest was Sweet Kiln who weakened from before the straight to finish last.

Catch Me is as big as 33/1 with Sean Graham for the Champion Hurdle. (EM)