Rambranlt'jac and Paul Townend lead them home© Photo Healy Racing
A lovely round of jumping set French-import Rambranlt'jac up for victory in the first division of the opening maiden hurdle on Fairyhouse's card.
Paul Townend sent him into the lead from flagfall in this two-mile contest and the pair dictated throughout, with second-favourite Hamundarson in attendance.
Hamundarson tried to close on the leader after the second last but he couldn't land a blow coming to the last.
A swift jump there saw Willie Mullins' Rambranlt'jac land full of running and he strode away for an emphatic seven-length success from Hamundarson.
The winner went off the even-money favourite from the 6/5 runner-up. Henry Star showed improved form to come in three and a quarter lengths back in third at 25/1.
Townend said: “It was a nice performance and we’ve been a long time trying to get him on the track with balloting [reserve three times since last November] and everything else.
“The experience he had stood to him and he was very professional in what he did. He was a bit fresh early on having been off the track for so long.
“He’s deadly to jump and is a nice horse.”
Rambranlt'jac had two runs in his native country in 2019 where he finished fifth on the Flat and third in a conditions hurdle race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
