Cheltenham Bumper winner Champagne Fever landed the odds on his hurdling debut at Cork

Champagne Fever made the perfect start to life over timber with victory in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The high-class bumper horse, winner of championship events at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals, was sent off the 1-8 favourite and barely saw another rival.

Ridden confidently from the front by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old never had to be asked a question in strolling to a five-length success from Andunowhat, jumping well throughout.

Mullins said: "He did nothing wrong. He jumped big and he wasn't helped by all the messing at the start.

"He'll keep at hurdling."