Pires justified his short price in the Anglo Printers Hurdle at Bellewstown when pulling away in the closing stages for a convincing success. Hamalka hit the front after the third last but once Ruby Walsh sent Pires about his business approaching the final flight the 4/5 favourite soon had matters in hand.

The Tony Martin-trained gelding powered clear on the run-in to record a three-and-a-half length verdict.

The winner is owned by Lily Lawlor, who is also joint owner of star hurdler Dunguib.

"He's a good horse but had never got the rub of the green. Hopefully that might be the start of it," said Martin.

"He hasn't run for a year over hurdles so hopefully will improve off that. I wouldn't run him on soft but hopefully we'll get plenty of ground between now and November."

Martin is reaping the benefits of Walsh's return to action. The pair were recording their third winner in a week having teamed up for a double at Ballinrobe on Sunday.