Big Chou overcame a ten-month spell on the sidelines when opening his account in the Buy Now And Save With The Winter Festival Real Deal Bundle Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Liam Queally’s homebred son of Youmzain showed promise on his only previous hurdle outing and was supported here on track from 13/2 into 4/1.

Sam Ewing ’s mount led two out and kept on well to beat Charlie’s Dilemma by three and a half lengths. How About No who didn’t help his chance by running very wide off the bend with just under a circuit to run, could find no extra after a mistake at the penultimate flight finishing a further three and a quarter lengths away in third.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said, “He had a cracked pelvis and that’s what kept him out.

“He’s probably more of a chaser than a hurdler so we might not delay over hurdles with him.

“He does like good ground.”