Briar Hill was sent off the 1/3 favourite for the feature race at Naas today, the Grade 2 Slaney Novice Hurdle, and while the Willie Mullins trained gelding justified favouritism, he was made to work hard for his win.

Settled in second, between his two rivals, the Graham and Andrea Wylie owned six-year-old was pushed along by Ruby Walsh after the third last flight, as Apache Jack continued to travel well in front.

Briar Hill got on terms with Apache Jack in the early straight, and the duo jumped the second last together.

The odds-on 'jolly' went marginally in front before the second last, and he was driven out on the run-in to fend off the challenge of Apache Jack (10/1) and Bryan Cooper by two and a quarter lengths at the line, while Very Wood was a further three parts of a length back in third and last.

Last years Cheltenham bumper winner, was maintaining his unbeaten start over hurdles, having won his maiden at Wexford in November, before following up the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle on his last start.

He was giving weight away all round this afternoon, with Apache Jack carrying seven pound less, while Very Wood was carrying ten pound less.

Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He is improving all the time. It was a nice performance giving the weight away and they are two good horses.

"I imagine I might give him another run before Cheltenham, we will see, I haven’t anything in mind.

"It probably wouldn't have been his preferred ground. He is lazy and Ruby said the minute he passed the winning post he dropped it. He only does enough all the time.

"He jumped well and I was pleased with his jumping. Hopefully he will keep improving, he is bred to get a trip, although he seemed to have plenty of speed on better ground.

"He will get an entry for the three races at Cheltenham (the Supreme Novices, the Neptune and the Albert Barlett), but I imagine we will be looking at the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett, depending on what other runners we have."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson