Dento Des Obeaux a four-time winner between the flags, opened his account under rules when taking the Racing Again March 18th Maiden Hunters Chase in impressive fashion at Thurles.

The Pat Turley-trained ten-year-old grey, who returned from a lengthy lay-off to win both point starts this year including a walkover at Tyrella recently, made all and took control from before the fourth last.

Declan Lavery oozed confidence in the straight as the 11/4 chance cruised home for a facile 22 lengths victory over Carrig Wells Keenaghan Lass was six and a half lengths further adrift in third and they were the only finishers as the remaining seven runners were all pulled up.

Lavery said, "He is class, has improved a fair bit and is doing everything right at the moment. He had a setback two years ago but is back in the best form he's ever been in.

"He has a lot of ability and Willie Mullins had him for a reason but keeping him right is the main thing. He has recently been very easy to train and does his own thing.

"He qualifies for Aintree now and 2m4f and good ground would be right up his street. We'll see how he comes out of this and talk to his owner Liam Gibney but he could go straight to Aintree now."

Quotes by Tom Weekes