Sea Ducor overcame a lengthy spell on the sidelines to land the Download The Boylesports App Novice Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The four-year-old son of Sea The Moon won on the Flat last year but has been absent since filling the runner-up spot behind the smart Aspire Tower on his hurdling debut at Punchestown 12 months ago.

The 8/1 chance made good headway early in the straight and headed favourite Galopin Des Champs after the last to score by half a length under Donagh Meyler. Get My Drift could find no extra on the run-in to finish a further two and half lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Arthur Moore said, “I’m delighted with that. He got a lovely breather across the top and his jumping was electric.

“The conditions of the race suited him really well. I haven’t looked beyond this but if there is a winners-of-one that would be nice to find.

“He has a lovely temperament and is a very easy horse to train.

“He got a little fracture about ten days after he last ran at Punchestown. It needed time to heal.

“He might have been back for Punchestown but then when the lockdown came we let him off. It’s nice to have a good horse in the owners (Chris Jones) colours again.

“It’s also nice to see him handle the heavy ground as that makes life a lot easier.”