Slygufftou justified favouritism in the Selskar Abbey Handicap Hurdle as he ran out an easy winner in first time cheekpieces.

Third on his last three starts the Michael McCullagh trained gelding was sent off the 2/1 favourite.

Settled in mid-division he took closer order from the fourth last and disputed the lead after the next.

He hit the front approaching the straight and was ridden out from there, coming home ten lengths to the good under Jack Kennedy. Udo's Choice (8/1) kept on to take second under David Mullins for Philip Rothwell while Cadawill (10/1) was two and a quarter lengths back in third under Paul Townend for Rodger Sweeney.

Michael McCullagh was emotional after the win as his son Niall was involved in an accident on the gallops this morning.

He said: "We had bad news this morning.

"Niall was injured on the gallops at Frank Dunne's morning. He was riding a horse and it wouldn't stop.

"He is above in Blanchardstown Hospital with a collapsed lung and broken ribs."