The Real Article maintained his unbeaten record when making a successful debut over jumps in the maiden hurdle at Listowel.

Andrew McNamara always had his mount handy and he hit the front at the fourth last.

The 2/1 favourite looked to have work on his hands as he turned in but he proved too strong for the challengers, keeping on well in the closing stages to beat the fast-finishing Riverstown by half-a-length.

"We bred him ourselves. I'm impressed with the way he jumped. I'll probably give him one more run at Tipperary or Limerick then put him away," said winning trainer Edward O'Grady afterwards.

"We'll bring him back in the spring with the aim of running him at Aintree more than Cheltenham. I have to discuss it with the owners but I think the flat track might suit him better.

"His brother ran earlier today, Rare Commodity and he's had trouble with his wind. This fellow also had a small wind operation and that's why he didn't run until he was five.

"We weren't 100 per cent sure of the merit of his bumper performances but today was a decent class maiden hurdle, possibly of the standard of Leopardstown at Christmas.

"He's not the finished article yet but he's The Real Article!"