Won In The Dark warmed up for a possible Champion Hurdle bid with a cosy victory in the Ballsbridge Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Davy Russell tracked the leaders on the 9/10 favourite before unleashing his charge going to the last.

The Sabrina Harty-trained gelding soon had things under control and stayed on strongly to post a three-length success over Head Of The Posse

"Davy said beforehand the ground was not much worse than Punchestown but I was a bit worried about him over the 2m2f," said Harty.

"He's not used to going that bit slower and was getting a bit thick with them. But he enjoyed himself.

"After Punchestown I've never seem a horse eat up like him and he was very fresh. We were very happy with him.

The Champion Hurdle is still on the agenda but the ground would have to be decent for the Montjeu gelding to take part.

"It depends on the ground. We will wait and see what happens. I wouldn't mind going up against anything on good ground. If it turns up soft he could wait for Aintree."