The market spoke loudly in favour of Riders Onthe Storm in the opening rated novice hurdle and Tom Taaffe's charge ploughed through the mud to open his account.

The Paul Shanahan-owned gelding was backed from 11/1 this morning and went to post the 4/1 favourite for the two-miler.

JJ Slevin tracked the leaders on his mount before asking him to move up and dispute turning for home.

The Scorpion gelding gained a narrow lead over the third last and asserted before the final flight. Despite a slightly untidy jump at the last he had plenty left as he went on to record a two-and-three-quarter length success. Spades Are Trumps who made a mistake three from home, ran on strongly in the closing stages to take the runner-up spot.

The winner was the only maiden in the field. He had went down by a head to Great Trango (fourth today) at Limerick over Christmas.

“I like this horse and if he’s half as good as some of the horses that have won this race in the past ten years he’ll be fine,” said Taaffe.

“Un De Sceaux, Sir Des Champs, Cause Of Causes and Sublimity have all won this race.

“He’s a true chaser. He got out-battled by a horse that knew how to battle the last day.

“I told JJ to not be afraid to go on from the turn and he’ll stay galloping. If he didn’t miss the last he would probably have won by a few more lengths.

“He’s a lovely big horse with a great page but just needs to grow up. He’ll go chasing next season.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)