Brought down in the race a year ago, The Snuffler gained compensation twelve months on under substitute rider Jason McKeown in the Well Done Hurricane Fly Maiden Hunters Chase at Downpatrick.

Owned and trained by Robert Brabazon and also bred by the family, The Snuffler tackled favourite Norwich Flyer down the hill and he overcame a bad mistake two out before going on to beat Rowdy Rampage as the aforementioned market-leader faded into sixth.

Ben Brabazon, the intended rider and son of Robert, explained: "I broke my arm at Loughbrickland (a point-to-point) yesterday. Jason gave The Snuffler a great ride and he is a brilliant horse at home – everyone rides him.

"He won a schooling bumper at Thurles before Cheltenham and he was meant to run before this but his hunter cert wasn't in in time. We were expecting a big run from him today."