Storm Heart showed a devastating turn of foot on the heavy ground in Punchestown to run away with the three-year-old maiden hurdle.

The Storm The Stars gelding was very popular in morning trading as his price contracted from even-money to 4/7 and this continued at the track as he went off 2/5 favourite.

Willie Mullins' French import was last seen winning a Flat maiden over 1m4f in his native country in March.

He didn't have the clearest route in this race as he was shuffled back and found traffic problems, however, a good jump two out saw him progress in third approaching the home bend.

Once Paul Townend asked him to pick off the leaders, the response was immediate as he readily asserted and moved clear before the last. He soared over it to win by a dominant 22 lengths from Jeaniemacaroney (9/1). Eagles Reign was another four and a-half lengths back in third at 12/1.

Mullins said: “It was a very good introduction, I didn’t expect that. I was hoping he was alright, but he’s more than alright looking at that performance.

“Paul thought he was very brave too as he got blinded at one or two hurdles. He lost his confidence for one or two, but got it back. He took them on and he loves jumping.

“I would have said coming here there was huge improvement in him, and I hope there is.

“He’s probably good enough to go wherever we wanted.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee