Horantzau D’airy appeared to have found a great opportunity to open his account over hurdles in division one of the Punchestown’s Fittest Club Sunday June 11th Maiden Hurdle and duly scored with the minimum of fuss at odds of 1/6.

The French import, trained by Willie Mullins for Rich and Susannah Ricci, came here off placed runs in valuable handicaps at Festival meetings last month and Paul Townend kept things simple from the front.

He made virtually all and was in command in the home straight, galloping on strongly to score by an easy 16 lengths. Striking took the runner-up spot with Foxfire Glow keeping on late a further length and a quarter back in third.

Townend said, “I’d have been disappointed if he didn’t do it. He has the experience now and handles the ground.

“He’s a fine big horse and can jump a fence. He threw a leap at one down the back like it was a fence and I’d say that is where he will go.”