Coral Cup could be on the agenda for James's Gate

James’s Gate has obviously had his training problems since placed behind Facile Vega in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham nearly three years ago but followed up a maiden hurdle win at Punchestown last month by taking the Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle at Navan.

The Martin Brassil-trained 3/1 chance travelled well to head long-time leader Ballygunner Castle approaching the final flight but nearly clutched defeat from the jaws of victory when stumbled badly on landing after the last.

However, the son of Shantou soon got going again under Mark Walsh and kept on well in the closing stages to beat C’est Ta Chance by three-quarters of a length. Taponthego finished a further three and a quarter lengths back in third with 2/1 favourite Ballygunner Castle weakening back in fourth.

Brassil said, "He did (rally well after the mistake at the last), he seemed to jump the hurdle perfectly but landed on his hind ones first, awkwardly.

"He jumped really well, it was the only hurdle that was any bit of a blip. We are very pleased with him.

"He's a good traveller. He was a classy horse in his bumpers - third in a Cheltenham bumper and that was only his second run. He's a horse with a bit of class.

"We might enter him for probably a Coral Cup or maybe even one of the novice races, we'll see how he is."

Paddy Power and Betfair cut the winner from 20/1 into 12/1 for the Coral Cup.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham