The Last Mardi rewarded punters who kept the faith following his fall at Wexford last time when easily justifying odds-on favouritism in the opening Kelly Brothers Farm Modernisation Maiden Hurdle at Killarney.

Sent off at 4/5f from early quotes of odds against, the Gordon Elliott trained six-year-old made just about all the running under Jack Kennedy.

A dual bumper winner last year, the Sholokhov gelding had run well in four maiden hurdle starts prior to falling two from home on his most recent start.

Kennedy dictated the pace from the outset here, slowing it right up passing the post with a circuit to race, then quickening it again halfway down the back.

Stretching clear of his field before two out, the Dingle jockey could afforded to ease down after jumping the last and coast home by four-and-three-quarter lengths from the staying on Black Bamboo

Gordon Elliott, “We thought he’d have won a maiden hurdle by now. It looked a good opportunity but Jack gave him a great ride and he probably never jumped as well as he did for Jack there today.

“It’s great to have him back and he loves coming down here to ride a winner at his local track.

“He may go to Galway for a novice.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.