Marakoush (7/2) did it from the front and had plenty in the tank at the business end as he took the two and a half mile maiden hurdle for Barry Connell, Alan Fleming and Adrian Heskin.

This gave the trio a double on the card which was initiated by Tully East in the novice handicap hurdle.

Markoush raced well clear throughout and only Road To Respect (9/2) could make any inroads into his lead.

Marakoush looked to be tiring approaching the last as Road To Respect kept closing but once he jumped that hurdle he strode away to put 12 lengths on the runner-up. Cape City Boy completed the placings in third at 16/1.

Alan Fleming said: "He's lovely - really nice. He improved a lot from Naas.

"He was quite keen and we'll probably have to work on that. He enjoyed the trip and the ground.

"We'll have to get him to settle a bit better the next day. That looked a very good maiden hurdle and he's after doing it well." Beau Mome the 8/11 favourite, never got into contention in finishing 10th.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson