Gordon Elliott's Favori De Champdou impressed in winning the Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase at the Punchestown Winter Festival.

The eight-year-old was an 11-2 chance under Jack Kennedy in a field of seven, though the group was quickly diminished when Jonathan Sweeney's Churchstonewarrior fell at the second.

The loose horse was a worry throughout the race and was particularly problematic for Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter, who was pestered by him when taking up the lead.

That lead was eventually assumed by Favori De Champdou, who kept on well to prevail by 14 lengths from Paul Nolan’s Sandor Clegane.

"He’d a good run the last day and we thought he’d come on from it but we thought it would be tough," Elliott said.

"Jack said he stayed very well and jumped brilliant. I’d imagine he’ll go for something at Christmas.

"I liked the way he stayed galloping. He travelled the whole way and he could be a real National Hunt Chase horse for Cheltenham."

Kennedy added: "The loose horse wasn’t doing Flooring Porter any favours, but it was sort of working out well for me.

"Very good, jumped great and galloped all the way to the line so I am very happy with him.

"He’s a very strong stayer and the further he goes, the better he gets. He could nearly have gone around there again."

Earlier on the card, Gaelic Warrior strolled to an easy success on his debut over fences in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase.

The five-year-old was an incredibly useful hurdler, never finishing out of the top two in six starts in Britain and Ireland.

He was most recently seen winning the Grade One Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle by 10 lengths at Punchestown on his final start last season.

For trainer Willie Mullins and under jockey Paul Townend, the Rich Ricci-owned 4-11 favourite took a fence or two to perfect his jumping but victory was never in doubt and he was completely unchallenged when crossing the line 15 lengths ahead.

"It was a very good performance, way better than I expected. I thought he was a bit novicey at one or two but never looked like falling and he ran very fresh today," Mullins said.

"We all know he stays and he might go a longer trip, but maybe after that performance I need to have a rethink about him. He'd have no problem going two and a half miles and two miles would be no problem to him either the way he ran there.

"We thought there would be a lot more pace in the race, but it seemed to evaporate and Paul was happy enough to make it.

"He was just a bit gassy today on his first run and maybe he will settle later on in the season."

The success followed an earlier win on the card for Mullins, with Predators Gold taking the CourtClinic.ie Chartered Physiotherapists Supporting Kilmacud Crokes GAA Maiden Hurdle by six lengths on his debut over obstacles.

"He was very impressive and there is a lot of improvement in him," the Closutton trainer said of the 4-7 favourite.

"I thought it was a hell of a performance considering where he was at the third-last. He looks a really nice recruit."

The opening contest was also won by a large margin as Gordon Elliott’s Mighty Bandit took the John Lynch Carpets 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle by nine and a half lengths at 3-1.

"I’d say he’s a nice horse. We gave him two bits of work and he worked well and then he got light so we’ve done nothing with him since," Elliott said.

"We didn’t really know what to expect, but Jack (Kennedy) said you’d have to be impressed with what you saw there. He was happy with him.

"He’d plenty of schooling done at home and he should strengthen up as the season goes on.

"We’ll look at Christmas now with him."

RACING RESULTS