Sumos Novios ended a lean spell under rules for trainer Liam Burke when taking full advantage of a drop in class to justify favouritism in the Ballycahill Beginners Chase at Thurles.

The lightly-raced point-to-point winner had shown promise earlier this season in Punchestown events won by Valsuer Lido and Mala Beach, and was sent off the well-backed 9/4 favourite in this three-mile event.

Andrew McNamara 's mount put in a fine round of jumping, and was not asked a serious question to come home four and a half lengths clear of the Sandra Hughes-trained pair Bold Conquest and Morney Wing Feenakilmeedy fell at the second, while Rye Martini was in trouble over half a mile out and eventually came home last of the six finishers.

Burke said, "That was a nice performance but he has been very difficult to train and this is only his fifth ever run.

"He's hard to keep condition on and we have to train him on his own as he gets too lit up with other horses.

"For a horse that is very big and 17 hands, he is fierce athletic and is able to shorten and he'll go for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase at Navan (March 15) next.

"My Murphy was my last winner, apart from point to points, in that race last year."

The winning owner Ray Humphrey (Old Moss Syndicate, who previously owned The Listener) has three horses with Burke.

(TW & AM)