"He probably made it look a bit harder than it was but he done it well in the end," said Jack Kennedy after winning the Foxrock Cup Hurdle at Leopardstown on Tombstone (9/10).

The hurdling of the Robin Des Champs gelding wasn't without its flaw, including at the last, but he asserted in the closing stages to beat front-runner Three Stars by two and a quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott was also responsible for the third home, Count Simon who pressed for second close home, whilst second favourite Oscars Den finished last of the four.

"It’s a nice race to pick up and he’s picked up plenty of prize-money over the years. It’s nice for him to show a glimpse of his old self," further reflected Kennedy on the Gigginstown House Stud-owned victor.

He added: “The ground is probably still only good to yielding but it will be a lot easier here tomorrow if this rain keeps up.”

(AM & EM)