Noel Meade marked his 70th birthday with a winner as Hes A Hardy Bloke took the opening GAIN Rated Novice Hurdle in fine style at Cork.

The six-year-old gelding has progressed well this season winning a Clonmel bumper and was following up victory in a Punchestown maiden hurdle with another success here.

The 11/8 favourite was confidently ridden by Sean Flanagan leading before the final flight and soon stretching clear to beat Takarengo by four lengths with Annie Pender a neck back in third.

This two-mile event has a smart recent roll of honour having been won by the likes of Chatham Street Lad and Court Maid.

Flanagan said, "They have gone a really nice gallop in the ground and he is a horse we thought had a very high cruising speed but he has got through the ground quite well and has done it easily.

"I thought he had a good chance and he's quite professional the way he does things. He has loads of speed and two miles looks his trip.

"Happy days and it's nice to get one for the birthday boy!"

(TW & AM)