Saint Gervais justified strong support when opening his hurdle account at the fourth time of asking in thetote.com Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Revoque gelding, successful in bumpers at the Galway and Listowel Festival meetings last year, appreciated the drying ground conditions (good to firm) to score in good style.

The 4/7 favourite, supported on track from 4/5, had his task eased somewhat with the absence of both An Dearthair Og (lame) and Noble Pageant (off feed).

However he cruised past Celestial Prospect (14/1) after the second last and kept on well under Andrew McNamara for a four and a half length success. Ennisnag backed on track from 11/1 down to 8/1, completed the placings in third.

Winning trainer John Kiely said, “He deserved that. He was a nice horse last summer but wasn’t his best on winter ground. I’m pleased with that win especially for the owners.

“He’ll go to Punchestown now probably for a handicap as he wasn’t good enough for the novices. He’ll be kept on the go for the rest of the summer.”

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)