Djakadam got Red Mills Day at Gowran off to the perfect start for punters as he took the opening contest, the Shantou at Burgage Stud 4yo Maiden Hurdle.

Trained by Willie Mullins, the French import unseated after the last when leading on his Irish debut at Thurles last month.

Sent off the 4/7 favourite (opened at 10/11 with Paddy Powers this morning) to make amends today, he made all under Paul Townend and went clear before the last to record a comfortable fourteen length victory. Ibsen finished second yet again at 4/1 under David Splaine for John Murphy while Welsh Nayber was a further six lengths back in third at 5/1 under David Crosse for Brendan Duke.

Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He did everything well and he is a nice chaser in the making.

"He won’t be going to Cheltenham, he will be kept at home and we will concentrate on chasing with him.”