Hollow Games put up a bold front running performance under Jack Kennedy to run out a very impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Navan.

A leading novice over hurdles last season, winning at Grade 3 level, before twice finishing third in Grade 1's, he looks to have the ability to go right to the top over fences.

Sent into an early lead here, the Gordon Elliott trained gelding jumped fluently over a trip some way short of his optimum. As the field closed up on him on the run to the last, Hollow Games found an extra gear, showing an impressive turn of foot to quicken clear.

On the evidence of this performance, he could be a really exciting prospect, especially when upped in trip over the coming months.

Gordon Elliott, completing a quick double, commented; "He has a great attitude and he always looked like he was going to be a chaser last year.

"Jack was good on him, we said we would make plenty of use on him. He wants probably a bit further to be honest.

"I love the way from the third last to the line he put his head down and galloped. He jumped well and I'm very happy with him.

"We have loads of ways to go now. He is (in the Grade 1 Drinmore) and we won't make any concrete plans at the moment."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham