High-class bumper performer Captain Cody made the most of what looked a gilt-edged opportunity to make a successful debut over hurdles at Gowran Park.

A runaway winner of a National Hunt Flat race at Limerick 12 months ago, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old went on to finish a creditable sixth in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival before disappointing when well fancied for a Grade Two contest at Aintree in the spring.

Making his first competitive appearance since failing to fire on Merseyside, Captain Cody was a 2-11 favourite for the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Ladies Auction Maiden Hurdle and came home with 10 lengths in hand without being asked a serious question by Jody Townend.

“He jumped a bit rusty at times but when it counted, over the last two, was very good,” said the champion trainer’s son and assistant Patrick Mullins.

“He seems to love this heavy ground, Jody will be delighted to get a win on him and it’s onwards and upwards for him now.”

Captain Cody was cut from 50-1 to 25-1 for the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by Betfair and Paddy Power.

The Closutton team went on to complete a treble, with Monkfish (13-8) landing the Galmoy Hurdle and Tactical Move justifying 5-4 favouritism in the Daly Farrell Chartered Accountants Beginners Chase, both ridden by Paul Townend.

The latter was not hard pressed to score by three and a half lengths from Saint Felicien and his rider expects him to go on to bigger and better things.

He said: “He had a nice run the first day (over fences) behind Nick Rockett and backed it up today. We came down the straight fast today, he was accurate and good at what he did.

“He has tested the owners’ patience but I think he has a decent level of ability. I liked him last year but didn’t see him after it, so hopefully he can keep the wheels under him now.

“I think he has that Cheltenham level of ability.”

Henry de Bromhead’s Champagne Mahler was a 14-1 winner of the Langtons Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle under Darragh O’Keeffe, with Emmet Mullins-trained hotpot Benjis Benefit (4-6) a disappointing fourth.

Of the winner, De Bromhead said: “I was disappointed with him the last day in Cork but he obviously struggled with the trip (two and a half miles).

“We initially thought he was crying out for a longer trip but dropped him back today, he loved the ground and jumped really well. He is a fine big horse and a real chaser.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Samyr made a smart start to his career in the P.J. Foley Memorial Flat Race.

The 280,000 guineas yearling was a 4-5 favourite for his racecourse debut and lived up to the billing with an eight-length success in the hands of John Gleeson.

O’Brien said: “It was a nice performance and I’m delighted for Brian and Rob (Acheson, owners). It is my first runner in the Robcour colours and he obviously was bought to go on the Flat.

“He was bought as a yearling but he had a couple of setbacks, so Brian decided we’d wait for his four-year-old bumper campaign. We might reap the rewards of that going forwards.

“I was worried about the ground but decided to let him take his chance and there’s no doubt he will be better on better ground.

“He is a good looking, well-bred horse and there is no doubt he could go back to the Flat at some stage. It was a smart performance and we’ll see what Brian and the team want to do now.”