Paul Nolan has always held Westmeath in high regard and it is easy to see why after the former point-to-point and bumper scorer convincingly landed the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown under Davy Russell.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned son of Kayf Tara was always to the fore in the two and a half miler and though very easy to back in the ring beforehand he scooted clear in the straight to beat Glenlo Abbey

Westmeath, equipped with a tongue-tie for the second time, has plenty of speed in his pedigree through several flat winners, and his trainer Nolan said: "Davy said he was very lairy in front but he can do that all his life if he keeps winning. He is still quite green.

"It isn't the ideal preparation for Cheltenham but he'll go there now for the Albert Bartlett.

"He hurt his back when disappointing at Ballinrobe (back in September) and he wasn't right for a while afterwards. He's clearly right again now though and he jumped a bus at the first (he jumped it so well).

"He is probably better going this way around (left-handed) as well."