Marronstown opened his account under Rules in style when stretching clear after two out to take the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.

The David Christie-trained gelding won twice in point-to-points back in 2022 and appreciated the better ground - officially good, good to yielding in places.

The 9/1 chance was never too far from the pace in this three-mile event and settled the issue soon after the penultimate fence, staying on strongly under Alex Harvey to beat Land Jet by eight lengths. Thehairyfella was half-a-length further back in third.

Christie said, “The penny is just dropping with him. He stays very well and he always hits a flat spot but I wanted to run him on good ground once.

“He handles the soft ground so well but it’s nice to see him on good ground today. He’s jumped from fence to fence.

“He’s a strange horse in his head and it’s taken him a long time to mature. We’ve had to be very patient.

“He’s put together three good runs and that’s the first time he’s done that since we’ve had him.

“I thought he was in front too soon as he can look about him, but the big track helps him as he’s coming home a long way.

“Maybe he could be competitive later in the year in one of those Nationals. He stays so well.

“Menindee fell when in front at the last in this race last year so that makes up for it.”