Pittoni cemented his position as a leading Triumph Hurdle hope with a cosy victory in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Davy Russell tracked the leaders on the 4/6 favourite before moving into contention at the second last.

He was asked to go on before the last and kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-half length verdict over Cross Appeal

"I'm happy with that. He quickened up well between the last two," said trainer Charles Byrnes afterwards.

"A faster pace would suit him as he stays well. The Triumph is the target but he wouldn't want the ground too good."

Russell was more confident of his charge handling better ground: -

"I'd say he'll handle any ground. He's open to plenty of improvement if he does handle better ground."

Paddy Power cut the winner from 20/1 to 12/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.