Joyeux Machin kicked right away from Viva Devito in the first division of the Fingal Ravens Raceday Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

He closed at speed on the leader at the last and didn't meet it on a great stride as Viva Devito got away from it the better.

The race was soon over on the run-in, though, as Joyeux Machin surged past Viva Devito and strode in by five lengths at 7/2. Viva Devito went off the 85/40 favourite, but had to settle for second. Kansas City Star was another eight lengths adrift in third at 10/3.

Paul Nolan 's brother and assistant, James Nolan, said: “We got held up at just the wrong time but they have turned a corner. They just weren’t one hundred per cent and we had a few coughing.

“We always thought he was a good horse and was a good bumper horse last year.

“He loves nice ground and Sean said the difference in the feel of him today compared to Wexford was like two different horses.

“He’ll step up in company now and we’ll talk to Sam (McCauley, owner) about whether we run at Christmas or Naas.

“It looked like a truly run maiden to me and Sean said he was hard to pull up.”

Joyeux Machin improved upon a third place in a Wexford maiden hurdle. He was added at 40/1 to the betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle by Paddy Power and Betfair.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee