Steppenwolf made a winning handicap debut under Luke Dempsey in Division l of the Team Powerstown Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Gavin Cromwell trained four-year-old was making just the fifth start of his career but looked a nice stayer in the making as he kept on strongly to run out an easy winner.

Dempsey was content to track the leaders out of the back straight but had to get to work turning for home as his mount came under pressure. To the horses credit he stayed at it well, looking better the further he went.

Tramore winner Frazel Express held every chance jumping the last but had no answer to the winners power packed finish.

Winning jockey Luke Dempsey said; "the better ground probably helped him as he had been running on heavy ground all winter. He did it nicely and was green when he got there as he had a good look around.

"That is his first handicap and hopefully there will be more to come from him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.