La Tektor shows his toughness in Fairyhouse

La Tektor gamely got off the mark in the opening two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.

He certainly wasn't winning out of turn after four runner-up berths in a row.

Denis O'Regan made all on the eight-year-old gelding, however, they faced a stiff challenge from main market rival Envol Pierji after the third last.

Envol Pierji was pushed along by Mark Walsh to try and get on terms at the penultimate flight but La Tektor raced away the quicker from that obstacle.

Envol Pierji's challenge petered out coming to the last but La Tektor then had Lethal Steps and the staying-on Hang In There for company.

La Tektor jumped the last with a narrow lead from Hang In There and found plenty in the final 100 yards to score by three parts of a length.

The winner was returned the 11/8 favourite from Hang In There at 25/1 (who ran an eye-catching race on hurdling debut off a break). Lethal Steps came in third at 8/1.

Trainer Tony Martin said: “He dug deep. Unfortunately he's just met a few good ones before today. The experience helped today.

“He jumped and gallops. Fairyhouse did a great job watering and for the man that owns him it was great, so it worked out brilliant.

“He jumps well and he had a good run in a point-to-point behind Kaiser Black. Hopefully he comes home safe now and we'll go novice chasing next year.

“He has a great constitution and it's unbelievable how he has been taking his racing. After a week he's back bouncing and eating his grub.

“We'll see how is he. He's been good for the last few weeks; you'd like to let him off but it all depends how he is next week and we'll see about Punchestown on the Friday or Saturday.”

Denis O'Regan added: "Very genuine. I'd say he was a bit green when I first started riding him in Gowran and things.

"I'd say we probably got it right today. We were trying to make a horse out of him getting a lead but over the two and a half (miles) I could let him on today.

"He jumped well and he had more experience than the rest of them in the race.

"I was gutted he got beaten the last day here, so it was great he got his head in front.

"It's safe ground, they have done a great job here the last few days. I think it will dry out again today and will probably be getting better as the day goes on."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson