Backed as if defeat were out of the question, Mitchouka delivered at odds of 1/5 in the Racing On New Years Day 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Just beaten at Thurles 26 days back, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained Mitchouka 'missed' the second last on this occasion.

However that made no difference whatever as the Davy Russell ridden French-bred went on for a ten length victory over Tenth Amendment

"I'd say it wasn't the strongest race in the world but he did it nicely and did all he could do," said Elliott.

"He probably came on a good bit from the last day. He was as fit as I could have him but like a lot of ours they come on for the first run.

"He'll probably have to come back here (Winter Festival Juvenile Hurdle — December 3rd) as there is nowhere else to go."

(GC & EM)