Black Hercules made it two from two over flights as he claimed the Grade 3 Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins and owners Graham and Andrea Wylie.

The five-year-old son of Heron Island was a top bumper performer last season (fourth in the Cheltenham bumper) and he made a winning debut over hurdles at Cork last month.

Stepped up to three miles today he was sent off the 4/7 favourite with Alpha Des Obeaux his main market rival at 11/4.

After making all the winner was joined briefly turning into the straight but he soon regained the lead and once ridden before the last he kept on well, going on to score by two and a half lengths.

Alpha Des Obeaux plugged on gamely under pressure to finish second under Mark Enright for Mouse Morris while Annamatopoeia faded in the straight and finished twenty-seven lengths back in third.

Paul Townend said afterwards: "It's very hard work out there on that ground, and he had to do it the hard way. Nothing else was going to make it but we knew that he stayed.

"He's improved from the last day, and he jumped a lot slicker today. Hopefully he can improve on that again.

"He idled a bit but you'd have to love the way he pulled out more when I asked him."

Speaking from Punchestown Willie Mullins added: "He was very slick in his jumping - so good. He stayed on nicely and is a professional hurdler. He has no trouble with trip over two or three miles but he's probably more of a stayer."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee & Gary Carson