Stellar Story brought up his hat-trick when making a winning transition to flights in the opening maiden hurdle which kickstarted the Navan Festival of Racing.

Gordon Elliott 's Shantou gelding landed bumpers at Fairyhouse and Naas back in January and February respectively and was on point on hurdling bow.

Jack Kennedy sent him on in this big field, but the pair were closely attended by Beau Walking four out. This rival moved on terms at the next when Stellar Story pecked and the duo moved clear before the last.

At this stage, Stellar Story got the better of his rival and was better in jumping it. He stayed on at the business end of this 2m4f assignment to justify 4/7 favouritism by four and three-quarter lengths. Largy Hill (10/1) ran an eye-catching race in a keeping-on second and was six-and-a-half-lengths clear of a tiring Beau Walking (9/1).

Elliott said: “He's a nice horse. Jack said he'd come on from it too as he had a bit of a blow.

“I was a bit worried in the back straight when the other horse was going with us, but he said he'd come on plenty from it and we're delighted.

“He was bought to be a big staying chaser.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson