Top class novice hurdler Pandorama made a winning chasing debut at Punchestown today, but made his supporters sweat before taking the Christmas Parties At Punchestown Beginners Chase, by a head.

Returned the 2/5 favourite, Pandorama, under Paul Carberry, made the running but jumped badly left throughout.

The son of Flemensfirth was joined entering the straight by eventual runner-up Clan Tara and looked in danger of defeat on the approach to the final fence. However, Pandorama's class eventually proved shone through, and although he lost somewhere in the region of ten lengths in-jumping, did see off the challenge of Clan Tara (which itself made a crucial mistake four out) by a head.

Winning trainer Noel Meade was not present for the win but Carberry did quipped “Pandorama likes going left-handed more – the likes of Cheltenham and Aintree would suit much better!”