French-recruit Instit went off odds-on favourite for the opening hurdle contest in Limerick but found Man O Work too hot to handle.

Instit, who won her sole start in her native country before switching to Willie Mullins, was headed two out by Calvados however, that filly made a bad mistake and ejected Alex Harvey out of the plate.

Instit was slightly hampered and found herself passed by second favourite Man O Work who arrived on the scene full of running.

Donie McInerney sent him on approaching the last and the pair had the race in the bag with a good jump at the final flight.

The 15/8 chance beat the 8/13 favourite by two and a quarter lengths. Grand Revival came in third a further 12 lengths adrift.

Trainer Paul Fahey said: "We always knew he was a nice horse and he was running a big, big race at Fairyhouse (in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle) when he came down but the young lad (Cian Cullinan) was confident he would have given the winner a run for his money.

"Cian unfortunately broke his thumb and would have been riding him today but didn't pass fit. He couldn't claim in the graded race at Fairyhouse and could have claimed today so it was unfortunate.

"In fairness, it was a good performance and I don't know where we're going with him. That was the first time he got a smack behind the saddle and he responded.

"He is a pretty decent little horse but I didn't think he had enough experience to run in the Boodles Hurdle at Cheltenham. I thought he had the quality and the rating for it but he had never run on the flat and I didn't think he had enough racing experience run there.

"Apart form the ones gone to Cheltenham, he is probably the best of the rest and we'll talk to the owner regarding plans. I don't know what is left for him in Ireland except Grade Ones and that is a big step up."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes