Edwulf gained compensation for an unlucky reverse at Navan last month when successfully switching to hurdles in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Naas.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old was set to score over fences last time when falling at the last, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge made most of the running here under Barry Geraghty.

The 13/8 chance was a bit weaker on track than chief market rival Haymount who was sent off the 5/4 favourite, and the pair fought out the finish in this 2m3f event.

Edwulf was far from fluent throughout, especially at the final two flights, but kept on well on the run-in to beat the favourite by a length and a half. Thumb Stone Blues was a further three lengths back in third.

Joseph O'Brien said, “He's a nice big horse and chasing is going to be his game. It's nice to win a maiden hurdle with him. At the last couple of hurdles he was a bit awkward but Barry said he was always happy.

“He'll probably go chasing again next year. He looks like he'll be a nice horse in time.”

(GC & AM)