Some Target had the experience of a run in a point-to-point under his belt and with his bumper winning form over Ballyburke receiving a notable boost at Navan last Sunday, the son of Witness Box was sent off the 8/13 market-leader for his racecourse jumping bow in the Demense Maiden Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh had Willie Mullins' charge pinging his hurdles and he arrived to challenge and lead travelling well two out. However in the demanding ground he had to work for his victory from the last, eventually seeing off Fennis Boy (first-time blinkers and 13/2 in the morning into 5/1) by a length and a quarter.

Stable representative, Gary Davies said: "He did what we expected there. He probably wants nicer ground and he had to work hard to fend off Fennis Boy in the end. He jumped very well though."