The Gordon Elliott trained Minella Sixo had to work hard to justify his short odds before eventually getting on top close home to win the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Sent off 1/3f, the Jack Kennedy partnered five-year-old was engaged in a duel with fellow market principal Mister Pink for much of the contest.

With the latter far the slicker over his hurdles, Minella Sixo lost ground at almost every obstacle. Pushed along to move upsides early in the straight, there was nothing separating the pair on the run to the final flight.

Kennedy eventually edged ahead on the favourite inside the last 150 yards, keeping on strongly to win by half-a-length.

Gordon Elliott said: "He stays galloping and even in Cheltenham the last day, he was off it with a mile to go but stayed going. He is an honest horse who will win loads of races.

"He mightn't run on winter heavy ground but there could be a race back at Cheltenham for him in December.

"There are a couple of lads from America involved (with Pioneer Racing), this is their second horse so they're having some luck, which is great.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.