ESPOIR D’Allen, Quilixios and Wodhooh feature among the past winners of the juvenile hurdle that opened the action at Punchestown on Tuesday, writes Andy Stephens.

It’s unlikely we saw a horse of their ability this time, but Kenough, trained by Joseph O’Brien, was an eye-catching third after an indifferent round of jumping on his debut in this sphere.

Only six hurdles had to be negotiated, but Kenough was scruffy over most of them, especially the second flight when he lost 9.53mph and got a miserly RaceiQ Jump Index score of 1/10. Overall, he scored 3.6, easily worst of the nine runners, and surrendered 10.56 lengths to the winner, Sea Of Dubka.

But on the plus side, Kenough, having previously had only two starts on the flat, travelled smoothly and was fastest through each of the final three furlongs. He ended up being beaten an aggregate of only five lengths and will be a banker for something similar if polishing up his jumping.

Pilgrims Walk was an intriguing runner-up against his elders in the staying handicap hurdle on the card and looks one to keep in mind, after finishing a never-nearer third behind emphatic winner Live To Laugh.

The Philip Rothwell-trained four-year-old spent the bulk of the race loitering in rear, not helping himself by losing almost four lengths with his jumping over the first seven hurdles.

He was still only 13th with five furlongs to run, but stuck on willingly and his jumping got better, albeit the winner and second were much better in this department and swiped almost nine lengths off him.

Finally, keep Shuil Solas in mind, after her second in the mares’ bumper. The data tells us she was quicker over the final five furlongs than the winner, Eastern Whisper, and her low stride cadence - she averaged just 2.04 strides per second - indicates she will relish stiffer stamina tests.