"He wouldn't be without a chance" was Barry Geraghty's assessment of Espoir D'Allen's hopes for a Champion Hurdle, after his mount justified odds of 4/9 in the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.

Despite the five-year-old having to concede weight away all round to older rivals, the market said that the J P McManus-owned and Gavin Cromwell-trained Espoir D'Allen would make short work of the four that took him on.

It was straight-forward for the now dual Naas two mile victor, a couple of mistakes aside.

He got the last wrong but the Voix Du Nord gelding was pretty much in control at that stage, and he defeated the staying on from the back Wicklow Brave by two and a half lengths.

“It was a good performance to give 7lb away to those horses. It was a bit of an unknown taking on the older horses for the first time but you would have to be happy with that," said Cromwell.

“Where we go from here I’m not sure and I’ll have to talk to Frank (Berry) and JP. Obviously they have the favourite for the Champion Hurdle and there are plenty more options.

“He was very long at the last and he let him shorten. He picked up well again after the last and won well.

“He’s a good jumper and makes up ground at his hurdles. He has fair scope.”

Boylesports go 16/1 (from 25/1) about Espoir D'Allen for the Champion Hurdle.

(AM & EM)