Bachasson who came to Galway as second favourite in the ante-post betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham duly eased away from his rivals to win the Deacy Gilligan Novice Hurdle.

The red-hot 1/6 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins, chased down leader Rocky Court coming to the second last, a hurdle that he wasn't fluent at.

However, he smoothly glided up on the outside of Rocky Court on the home bend and popped the last, with a narrow lead, still on the bridle. He sauntered away under Ruby Walsh to take the spoils by six lengths from Rocky Court (33/1).

Patrick Mullins said: "He did what we expected him to do and Ruby didn't extend him and minded him coming down the hill.

"There's a novice hurdle at Listowel but that might come too soon for him."

Ruby Walsh added: "I was a bit more impressed with him today than the last day and he quickened up smoothly. He's doing everything we've asked him to do but they are summer novice hurdles and there's a big step up to Graded company and a bigger one to Grade One.

"The dream is still alive though and we'll find out soon enough (how good he is).

"There are novice hurdles for him on Arc day at Tipperary and on Munster National day at Limerick in October for him."

Paddy Power kept Bachasson unchanged at 12/1 for the Supreme Novices ' Hurdle.

This was Walsh's second winner on the card as he took the opening race on Tetraites

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes