Espoir D'Allen confirmed himself as the leading three-year-old in Ireland this season when extending his winning run in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Gavin Cromwell's youngster was sent off the 1-2 favourite to remain unbeaten on his fourth outing over timber, and while rider Mark Walsh was briefly short of room on the run into the home straight, he got a dream split and travelled powerfully to the head of affairs.

Walsh was still sat motionless over the last, but so was Davy Russell on Mitchouka although i n the end it was Espoir D'Allen who quickened up best as he held off the fast-finishing hurdling debutant Farclas by a length and a quarter.

Class horse - yet to taste defeat, Espoir D'Allen makes it four from four over hurdles with victory in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/hEs52m812a

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 26, 2017

Cromwell said: "He's a very straightforward horse, jumps great and is very professional for a juvenile, although he was a little bit keen early on today. He hasn't missed any dance and has been busy enough for a juvenile.

"He'll definitely get an entry back here in February (for the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle)."

The JP McManus-owned gelding 15/2 second-favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with Paddy Power behind Nicky Henderson's Apple's Shakira in the same ownership.

Cromwell added: "He has taken it all well and hopefully Cheltenham is on the cards."