Turf War (4/1 in the morning into 5/2) led before the third and made the rest in the Fermoy Maiden Hurdle, keeping on well up the straight under Davy Russell to repel Maid Of Malabar and the favourite, Champus by three parts of a length and one and a quarter lengths.

The French-bred son of Sleeping Car was without success in a couple of bumpers but the Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old has showed steady progression over hurdles.

Winning trainer, Michael Hourigan said: "Things have been quite this winter but the horses are coming back into form again now. Turf War wasn't getting home on bad ground during the winter and he'll make a lovely chaser in time." (EM)