A lovely jump at the last saw More Coko secure a snug victory in the David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle at Tramore - the first race of the new year in Ireland.

This was his jumping debut having easily won a bumper at this venue back in August.

He was very easy to back from as short as 8/15 this morning out to 6/4 joint favourite on the off, as the money came for joint favourite Rockonliam

More Coko was always in touch over this extended two-miles and Brian Hayes produced him with his challenge two out. He got on terms with Kilbarry Ce Ce there and led upon touching down.

The five-year-old gelding kept on nicely along the short run-in to beat Kilbarry Ce Ce (10/1) by two and three-quarter lengths with Kentucky Beach (80/1) back in third.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: "He won well with me here in August. My mother bred him and you can see he is a French bred as Madam Jacky Mullins is down as the breeder. She sent two or three mares over to France five or six years ago, kept them there and used the French stallions. They came home then when the foals were 18 months (old). She wanted to try something different and I think she has a nice one here.

"His owners, Paul and his brother John are here today. I won on Onlyamatteroftime in my own colours at Warwick in the summer and they had a horse in the race. They bought Onlyamatteroftime off me and he got injured on his first run for them. There were looking for a second horse, so they bought More Coko. They are from Galway, but based in the UK. They came over to see him run today and it's great that he has won.

"Brian came in and said he could be a chaser, he jumped with plenty of scope. He is obviously very versatile regards the ground, it was very heavy today and good in August.

"We will just keep tipping away with him and he might head over to England for a novice hurdle. We will build him up slowly. In England you can go for those novice hurdles, winners of one, winners of two and we don't have those races here. He might suit one of those races."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy