Where It All Began runner-up on three of his previous four starts, went one better when touching off hot-pot Hors Piste in a thrilling finish to the Velvet Cap Whiskey Maiden Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding held a couple of lengths lead when making a mistake and stumbling after the last and Jack Kennedy, who had to give up his rides at Punchestown yesterday with a sore shoulder, certainly had to prove his fitness on the 6/1 chance.

The son of Yeats just held off the renewed effort of French import and 4/7 favourite Hors Piste by a short-head, with the pair pulling 15 lengths clear of Geni De La Cour in third.

Kennedy said, “He’s a grand horse, a big galloper really. He loved that ground and will probably get further as well.

“He got in tight to the last and lost his balance a bit — I nearly came off him. He might have taken his eye off it but he did well to keep going on the run-in and win.

“My shoulder is a bit sore but it’s not too bad.”