Sir Gerhard who pulled muscles in a fall in a Grade 3 chase at Naas in November, got back to winning ways as he reverted to flights in the extended 2m3f hurdle at Punchestown.

The 10/11 favourite moved ominously well to dispute the lead with Aspire Tower two out and took over upon entering straight.

He didn't put in his best jump at the last, however, he stayed on well to close the race out by two and three-quarter lengths. Thedevilscoachman (3/1) kept on in second on the run-in without laying a glove on the winner.

This was Sir Gerhard's eighth victory under rules and fourth over hurdles. He has two Grade 1 hurdle successes in the book including at last year's Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham Festival (Ballymore).

He gave Willie Mullins and Paul Townend a double on the card after they took the preceding race with Storm Heart

Mullins said: “That was a nice performance and he’s got his confidence back over hurdles anyway. We’ll probably stick to hurdles now this season and he may go down the Stayers' Hurdle route.

“He jumped well at Naas until he fell and it took him a while to recover from that fall.

“I thought looking at him going down to the start that he looked big and I’d be hoping there is more improvement.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee