Due Reward readily accounted for his four rivals in the opener at Punchestown, the Join Our 2019 Members Club From Just E150 Rated Novice Hurdle.

Successful at Gowran and Kilbeggan during the summer, the son of Westerner then fell at Cork, filling the runner-up spot on his most recent outing.

Sent off a 5/2 chance this afternoon, the bay gelding raced in third under Rachael Blackmore, taking closer order from three out.

He improved to lead shortly after the next, and soon stretched clear, going on to score comfortably by nine lengths. Minella Times made it a 1, 2 for de Bromhead, as he came through to take second under Niall Madden at the odds of 10/1. Ballyneety was sent off the even money favourite, and he faded tamely in the straight, eventually finishing last.

"I'm delighted with that, that was really good," said de Bromhead.

"I thought he might improve from the last run and the penny really seems to be dropping with him now.

"It was a super ride from Rachael and I'm delighted.

"I was thinking of the 123 or less in Leopardstown for him but that's gone.

"We may look at the good two-mile handicap hurdle, the 145, or a nice novice. He's also in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown.

"It's great to see him improving all the time."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Under the provisions of Rule 90, the Stewards allowed Due Reward, trained by Henry de Bromhead, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the error identified in the certification of vaccinations would be corrected in accordance with Rule 91 within the timeframe specified.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ballyneety (GB), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson