Long-standing maiden Hamundarson got his turn in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The 30/100 favourite Minella Crooner soon led and dictated at a steady pace with Hamundarson tracking him.

The leader wasn't fluent at the second last and was passed by a closing Hamundarson. The distress signals soon went out on Minella Crooner and he had no answer in second.

Hamundarson kept on well to close it out by two and three quarter lengths at 10/3 for Gordon Elliott. The Tack Room (15/2 from 12/1) came in third, well adrift of runner-up Minella Crooner.

Jockey Luke Dempsey said: "He did it nicely and picked up well from the back of the second last. He had a lot of good runs last year without getting his head in front and while he missed the last today, he has done it well.

"I wanted to have one go at the favourite and when I pulled him out to challenge he quickened well for me.

"He is a fine big horse and will definitely love a fence."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes