Kentucky Star made a winning start in handicap company when scoring for 'Sneezy' Foster and Adrian Heskin at Punchestown this afternoon.

The 16/1 shot was held up in the early stages of the 2m6f contest before taking closer order from the fourth last.

He moved into contention turning for home and claimed long-time leader Samanntom on the run to the last.

Heskin kept the French-bred going on the run-in and he asserted in the closing stages for a four-and-three-quarter length success over the 9/4 joint-favourite. The other joint-favourite Best Of Three finished fifth after failing to pick up in the straight.

"He's a horse that's had a lot of problems," revealed Foster afterwards.

"He's had ulcers and got a seriously bad cut at Fairyhouse. He was in the clinic for a month and stood in his box for nearly six months.

"He stays well and he'll jump a fence."

Samanntom had a rather unusual start as he came from a long way behind the field at the tapes and rounded his rivals to dispute at the first.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)