Gordon Elliott's Santonito rallied to winning effect in the opening qualified riders' maiden hurdle at Clonmel.

He led but was pressed by Eye Van at the third last and then headed by Sir Argus who good headway to arrive in the lead at the penultimate flight.

The new leader got it all wrong, though, and departed leaving Eye Van and Santonito to tussle for the spoils.

The former led narrowly over the last and on the run-in, however, Santonito (6/5f) was driven up in the closing stages by Jamie Codd. He beat the 2/1 runner-up by half a length. Royal Moon kept on for third at 33/1 a further length and three quarters away.

Assistant trainer Lisa O'Neill said: "He battled hard in the end and Jamie was happy with him. He thinks he is the likes of a horse that will be a real stayer, maybe a three-miler, over fences so it is nice to get the win over hurdles.

"He goes through that type of ground and would have no problem handling that.

"He has been quite consistent and it great for the owners (Caldwell Construction Ltd) who are having a great time of things at the moment and are a big cog in the Cullentra Stables."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes