Favourite Marito s hurdling wasn't up to scratch in the opening Stephens Green Hibernian Club Hurdle at Punchestown and Rye Martini was there to take advantage.

Ruby Walsh 's mount's jumping was typical of a horse reverting to flights after competing over fences but to his credit he found plenty for pressure at the business end.

The problem for him and his numerous backers though, was that Davy Russell slipped the field on Rye Martini, an attractive son of Catcher In The Rye, up the straight.

Try as Marito might, he couldn't peg back the Colm Murphy-trained, Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner, two lengths separating them at the line.

In fairness to the winner, he may have been a bit lonely out in front and he could well have found even more if his nearest pursuer had got to him. His victory wasn't a surprise to everyone as he went off 11/1 from 16s.

Murphy said: "It's a bonus to win here as chasing will be his game. I've no doubt that he'll stay three miles.

"He was bit keen the last day in Fairyhouse. Davy locked him away well today though and got him nicely settled." (AM & EM)