Ivanovich Gorbatov, left, delivers his challenge to Let's Dance© Photo Healy Racing
Ivanovich Gorbatov made an impressive transition to the jumping game when readily delivering in the two mile maiden hurdle for three-year-olds at Leopardstown.
Aidan O'Brien 's Montjeu gelding attained a mark of 105 on the level on the back of a Navan maiden success and a victory in a handicap at this track in May and August respectively.
He cruised into contention to join the leader Newberry New after the second last but had 4/7 favourite Let's Dance for company. The pair soon went on as Newberry New weakened out of contention.
The well-backed Let's Dance held a narrow advantage jumping the last but Ivanovich Gorbatov was going the better of the pair.
On the run-in, Barry Geraghty pushed him out to lead and he went on by two and a quarter lengths to score at Burlington Bertie 100/30. Lagostovegas (9/1) was seven lengths adrift of runner-up Let's Dance.
Aidan O'Brien said: "Really you should be talking to Joseph as he has done all the work with this horse. He's always been a natural jumper. He handled the ground but you would imagine that he will be a horse that will appreciate much better ground.
"Joseph missed doing the latest training course as he was away at the Breeders Cup but he will be doing the next one that comes up."
Paddy Power gave Ivanovich Gorbatov a first show of 14/1 co favourite for the Triumph Hurdle and left Let's Dance unchanged at 16/1. Betfair also go 14/1 for the Triumph.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
