Citizenship, sent off the 11-2 favourite for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, took advantage of a lowly mark on the level to win the Europe Hotel & Resort Handicap at Killarney.
Jessica Harrington's six-year-old failed to fire at the Festival and had run poorly on the Flat last week.
Sent off at 11-2, Citizenship was settled in the rear by 10lb claimer Kevin Sexton before quickening up in style to win by nearly five lengths.
The aim now is the Galway Hurdle, although Harrington's daughter Kate, an amateur rider, might try to persuade her mother otherwise.
"We were worried he wouldn't get into the Galway Hurdle but he is in it and if he doesn't make it, hopefully he will get enough of a rise to get in the amateur handicap on the Monday.
That's what I'm hoping anyway!" said Kate Harrington.
