Despite jumping far from fluently in first time cheekpieces, Kaid D'authie justified market support in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.

Backed from 7/2 into 9/4 favouritism, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old pulled up when an outsider in the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

Prominent early this afternoon before improving into an outright lead from the second, the Mark Walsh-ridden French bred found plenty for pressure on the run-in and was three-and-a-half-lengths clear of Blue Mosque at the line.

The runner-up was returned at 4/1 under Donagh Meyler, while Got Glory a stable companion of the winner, was a further nine-lengths away in third.

Walsh said in the aftermath: "He done it well, but there is still room for improvement in his jumping. He is such a big horse that he just can't sort himself out, so I'm hoping next year over fences he'll be better and have a bit more respect for them.

"I was happy enough going to the second last, he wouldn't be the quickest horse but he gallops all day. I could hear the lads coming to me into the straight.

"When we straightened up I just kept him balanced and he quickened on well to the end."

Mullins added: "We took all the gear off his head and put cheekpieces on instead.

“We put on an ordinary snaffle instead of a chifney as we thought less interference in his mount might help him jump better. I’m not sure that worked but at least he had a cut at his hurdles anyhow.

"He has no regard for them, we think he'll be a lot better over fences.

"He has a huge engine and he'll be suited by three miles.

"He's about 17 hands, which is a huge horse, and you wouldn’t want him standing on you anyway.

"He'll have far more respect for a fence."

The Choeur Du Nord victor was completing a double for owner JP McManus, after he had earlier claimed the opener with Thanksforthehelp

STEWARDS REPORTS

B. Hayes, rider of Saint Le Fort (FR), trained by Philip Fenton, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stumbled turning in.

D. Meyler, rider of Blue Mosque, trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that things became tight turning in.

P. Townend, rider of Got Glory (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran short of room after jumping the second last hurdle.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident turning into the straight involving Saint Le Fort (FR), ridden by B. Hayes, Tradecraft, ridden by J. Bowen, Blue Mosque, ridden by D. Meyler, and Got Glory (FR), ridden by P. Townend, where it appeared interference occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. B. Hayes and D. Meyler both said they received pressure from the outside. J. Bowen said he jumped left at the second last hurdle and returned to his line but did not cause any interference. P. Townend said he had committed to go inside Tradecraft and as that horse returned to his line things became tight. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action. Mr R. Ryan recused himself from this enquiry and was replaced as chairman by Mr. S. Barry.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson