The featured WKD Hurdle (Grade 2) produced a most impressive winner as Coeur Sublime 7/4 fav) scored by an emphatic fifteen lengths under Davy Russell.

Last season’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up was always travelling powerfully close to the pace-setting Western Victory took over from that one three out and went clear at his ease from that point to defeat stablemate Coko Beach (9/4) very comfortably.

The winner had been touched off in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last term having won his first hurdles start here, and he also looked to have a big chance when a last-flight faller at Leopardstown over Christmas. This was a fine start to his second season over hurdles.

"He was second in a Triumph Hurdle so he was entitled to do that, said winning trainer Gordon Elliott.

"He's a horse that will probably stay further in time.

"Davy said he is a different horse this year - he looked a different horse, he's a lot stronger. He jumped and he did everything right.

"They went a fair gallop and I knew he would come on a bit. We will have plenty of fun with him this year."

When asked about the Champion Hurdle, he replied: "We'll take it one step at a time and see. He would have to improve again to do that but there is a lot of Grade 2s and Grade 3s to be won."

BoyleSports cut Coeur Sublime from 33/1 to 20/1 for the Champion Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham