It was hardly surprising that the navanracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle over two and three quarter miles would turn out to be a stern examination of stamina. Golden Spread proved best equipped to cope for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

Golden Spread raced in the rear of mid-division, before making headway after four out.

He went third on the outer two out, and soon asked for more, the Mullins runner was second at the last.

The British-bred son of Duke Of Marmalade improved to lead inside the final furlong, staying on well to account for Bois De Clamart and well-backed even money favourite, Young Ted by a length and six and a half lengths.

“He's been disappointing so far this season to be quite honest but he found some bit of his old form there today and the race worked out for us,” said Townend.

“Three miles and a fence is what he wants, that's where he is going to end up, and anything he does before that is a bonus.

“It's horrible ground, it's real hard work and is fairly poached at this stage of the day. He did well to stay going as well as he did.”

(GC & EM)