Our Conor ran out an easy winner of the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Dessie Hughes' charge travelling sweetly to take over from front-runner Diakali turning for home and soon stretched clear of the field.

Bryan Cooper was looking between his legs before the final flight as his mount galloped on strongly to put further daylight between himself and his rivals.

The 4/1 winner (from 7/2) went on to record a 15-length success over the Paul Nicholls-trained Far West (4/1).

Nicholls also saddled the third Sametegal (33/1) while Rolling Star, who was backed into 5/2 favourite, could make no impression in sixth.

"I've never got a feel like it in my life. He travelled everywhere," said Cooper on Channel 4 afterwards.

"I'm there a mile too soon. I spotted a long one at the last but let him back off it and pop it just to be safe.

"He's got such cruising speed - he's got everything you need. I was happy the rain came because all his form was on heavy and I was a bit worried about good ground.

"I couldn't be happier for the boss."

Hughes, who was responsible for dual Champion Hurdle hero Hardy Eustace, said: "Everything went well and he jumped brilliant - he's a real one isn't he?

"I couldn't expect a performance like that. He was on the bit all the way, he was loving it. "We've had no problems with him whatsoever. He eats and sleeps and any ground is fine for him. He has shown us a lot since his last run in Leopardstown - we thought he'd improved every day.

"He is certainly a Champion Hurdle horse. He stays, he has foot and he jumps. The Champion Hurdle is all about jumping and he certainly does that. Hardy Eustace was a brilliant jumper and so is this lad, but he's totally different to Hardy.

"We schooled him over hurdles as a two-year-old and he was absolutely fantastic, so we always looked forward to him going jumping. I'm sure he'll go to Punchestown next."

Richard Hughes, the champion Flat jockey and Dessie's son, said: "Richard (Hannon) has a runner at Chantilly and two at Lingfield today - but I told him I wasn't going anywhere other than Cheltenham today.

"I remember watching Golden Cygnet and that was very similar. To be that good and so far ahead of the others at such a young age is amazing.

"My dad said he got ulcers thinking about him as a young horse so he always knew he was pretty good."

Paul Nicholls said of the second and third: "I'm thrilled with the pair of them. I didn't think there was much between them but they've been beaten by an aeroplane.

"The winner had run on the Flat but neither of mine had. I think Far West will make a smart hurdler next season while the other one will be a chaser."

Willie Mullins said of fourth home Diakali: "I thought it was a very good run, he jumped much better but the rain hasn't helped him. The winner is some machine. He'll go to Punchestown."

The winner is now a leading fancy for the 2014 Champion Hurdle, having been introduced by Sky Bet at just 5/1.