War Singer David Pipe's runner in the Boylesports.com "Official Betting Partner To The Irish Soccer Team" Handicap Hurdle has been an early market mover (12s into 6s with one major layer) on day one of the Punchestown Festival.

This five-year-old has form behind the likes of Grumeti and Colour Squadron and he is a five time winner on the level in France.

David Pipe said of the Tom Scudamore-ridden lightly-weighted handicap debutant in advance of this season: "He looks a nice addition to the team having been bought at the Arqana Sale at St-Cloud in July. Trained on the Flat by Jean Claude-Rouget in France, he had some decent form winning over a mile and a half. We have gelded him and hopefully he will develop into a useful novice hurdler.

"He goes nicely on the gallops, as a 92-rated horse should do, will want give in the ground and is near a run, as soon as we get some rain."

War Singer cost connections €100,000 and given the market-support, the American-bred is a fascinating contender for this two miler at 4.55. (EM)