JJ Slevin rode out his claim on Us And Them in the opener at Punchestown this afternoon, the Buy Annual Membership Rated Novice Hurdle.

The Joseph O'Brien trained four-year-old got off the mark on his debut over flights at Cork last month, and he was sent off a 3/1 chance to follow-up today.

Sent straight to the front he was joined by Trainwreck on the run to the last. Slevin then had to get serious aboard the son of Stowaway, and he pulled out more on the run-in to prevail by half a length in the colours of owner Justin Carthy.

The aforementioned Trainwreck (9/4jfav) had to settle for second under Dylan Robinson, while Low Sun who was the other joint-favourite, ran no sort of race and trailed home in last.

O’Brien said afterwards: "He won well the last day, and he's jumped well and done everything right today. He's done it the hard way himself in front.

"He didn’t finish out his races in bumpers. Today he had every excuse (not to win) and he really fought. JJ gave him a lovely ride and dictated it lovely."

STEWARDS REPORT

P. Townend, rider of Low Sun (GB) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not jump fluently and never travelled.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee