Firefox and Jack Kennedy pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Firefox completed a quick double for Gordon Elliott, as he impressively dismissed market rival Ballyburn in the Kettles Country House Hotel Supporting Fingal Ravens GFC Raceday Maiden Hurdle.
The winner of three bumpers, the Walk In The Park five-year-old went off an even money chance, with the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn just shading favouritism at 10/11.
Sent straight to the front by Jack Kennedy, the exciting Bective Stud-owned victor made all and jumped well throughout.
Pressed from three out, he was pushed along and went a few lengths clear after the next, going on to account for the market leader by two-and-a-half lengths.
On what was his debut over flights, the runner-up wasn't fluent two out and while he tried hard to reel-in the winner, he ultimately had to settle for second.
The front pair went 12-lengths clear of Irancy (20/1) in third, with Mullins also responsible for this JP McManus owned gelding.
"He's a good horse and Jack said he's so straightforward," Elliott commented.
"We thought he needed two-and-a-half-miles and that's why we were making every post a winning post.
"Jack said he could go two and a half but he's got so much boot and is so relaxed that everything is very easy to him. He looks exciting and you'd like his attitude.
"We wanted to get today out of the way first and I just loved the way he jumped. Jack said he was so professional over the last two."
Paddy Power and Betfair go 10/1 (from 25s) about Firefox for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (from 25/1), while he is available at 14/1 (from 20s) for the Ballymore.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
