Ainm Spartacus sprung a surprise when making all for a convincing success in the opening four-year-old winners hurdle.

Tom Doyle adopted similar tactics to those when the pair won at Gowran in November, and the 22/1 chance again jumped well and had his rivals well stretched out approaching the second last. Knockcroghery took a heavy fall when set for second place at this flight, and Ainm Spartacus kept up the gallop to beat Total Reality (10/1) by seven lengths.

The well-backed 4/11 favourite Rigidity was under pressure approaching the straight and could make no impression finishing a further five lengths adrift in third.

"He wasn't taken on in front today. He didn't get it his own way at Fairyhouse last time and that didn't suit him. To be honest beforehand I thought finishing second to the favourite was the best we could do," said trainer Kieran Purcell.