Charli Parcs overcame a long absence to make a winning start for Aidan Howard at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was making his first start since finishing well held in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2018.

Barry Geraghty tracked the leaders on the 7/1 shot in today's two-mile-two conditions event and moved up turning for home.

With the second last and final flights both omitted it was a long run for home and the French-bred gelding travelled well behind the leaders after the final obstacle was jumped. Jetz took over from front-runner Mengli Khan before the straight but had no answer when Charli Parcs swooped inside the final furlong for a cosy four-and-a-half length success.

Howard said:- “He did that very nicely. I haven’t asked him a whole pile at home but what he has done he’s done it nicely.

“They went a good gallop today and he got to settle in great. He has the bit of class to travel and Barry gave him a great ride. I’m hoping he’ll improve a little.

“Hopefully we’ll find something similar for him in a about a month to six weeks time.

“He’d prefer a bit better ground and the staff in the yard have done a great job keeping him sound.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)