Thecompanysergeant showed thoughts of running at last week’s Cheltenham Festival weren’t misplaced when opening his account over jumps in the Navan Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.

The dual bumper winner only went down by a head on his hurdling debut at Naas last month and justified 7/4 favouritism here. Smooth Player and Thecompanysergeant drew clear after two out and after the pair were in the air together at the last, the latter proved the stronger in the closing stages under Donagh Meyler to score by three quarters of a length. Fameaftertheglory was a further three lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Denis Hogan said: “He's a cracking horse, he's done us no wrong. He missed a year after his point-to-point with an injury and it probably stood to him really.

“A lot of people were questioning would he handle the ground, but he has never got to run on that ground with me taking chances running him on good ground.

“He would want to have been doing that - we were going to go for the Albert Bartlett if we got in, but we didn't get in. He will be better up in trip in time.

“It is great for his owner, Martin Cooney. When he got injured he stuck with him and he is repaying him now, so hopefully he will go on to maybe a novice hurdle before the season is over. Maybe Fairyhouse or Punchestown.

“He is game and he digs in when you want it. He's from a family of good staying chasers."

Quotes by Michael Graham