Smooth success for Slippery Serpent

Slippery Serpent justified favouritism in the 30 Euro Winter Warmer Bundle Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Paul Townend for Edward O'Grady and the Friends Of Maria Syndicate.

Successful on the level at Leopardstown in July, the son of Scorpion was last seen finishing a good second to Brex Drago at Listowel.

Having opened on-course at 9/4 this afternoon, he eventually went off the 2/1 favourite, and was sent to the front after the second.

He was pushed along approaching the last, and was just kept on to his work on the run-in, going on to score cosily by three parts of a length. Steel Wave (3/1) kept on well to take second under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins, while Court Tycoon was another half a length back in third.

Early morning favourite Kuiper Belt proved easy to back on course (returned at 7/2), and finished a disappointing last.

O'Grady said afterwards: "It's a great thrill to be able to win with him with the syndicate he's got. Hopefully Maria (O'Grady's late wife) was giving him a little push.

"He's a lovely horse insofar as he can run on the Flat and probably could go chasing as well.

"I'm pleased today is over and we'll see what the future brings. I'm delighted for the girls who have been so kind to support what was Maria's original syndicate."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson