Derrinross (7/2) successfully conceded weight all round in the Sky Sports Racing Launching January 1st Novice Hurdle at Limerick.
Handed an easy lead in the hands of Luke Dempsey, the imposing seven-year-old duly dictated the pace before finding extra after a good jump at the last to beat Defi Bleu by three-quarters of a length.
Philip Dempsey's charge, a second-season novice having failed to register a victory from three starts over timber last term, was carrying a penalty for winning a Grade Three at Cork earlier in the month, but appeared to score with something up his sleeve.
The Limerick contest, registered as the Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle and formerly run at the Guiness Novice Hurdle, has produced a long list of high-class winners since its inception in 2003, with the likes of Weapon's Amnesty, Faugheen, Martello Tower, Up For Review and Penhill winning in recent season.
Weapon's Amnesty, Martello Tower and Penhill all went on to win the Albert Bartelett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival later in the season and Derrinross can be backed at 20/1 with Sky Bet to follow suit.
The winning trainer said: "He did it the hard way and he didn't jump as well today. But Luke said he was looking around in front.
"He came out of his race well the last day and we were very happy with him. I was sort of thinking the others under-performed at Cork and he obviously had to step up, and he was also giving away weight."
Employing the front-running tactics which had not only worked at Cork but been to the fore in previous races on this card, Dempsey and his willing partner scored another notable victory for his father's yard.
Gordon Elliott's Defi Bleu was their nearest pursuer throughout and at the line, with Willie Mullins' 6/4 favourite Dorrells Pierji last of six in the bunched finish.
Dempsey senior is now considering plans for the upcoming Festivals on either side of the Irish Sea - and possibly a maiden trip to Cheltenham for himself.
He added: "We might have to look at bigger things now and while we mightn't get a wet spring, if he gets soft ground he could run at the Dublin Racing Festival.
"I'd be fond of going to Cheltenham - I've never been there - and if he got soft ground, he'll run in the Albert Bartlett. I think he'll be better with a stronger gallop.
"He's had plenty of issues and thankfully now he has bounced out and hopefully tomorrow he'll be the same. We've had a great Christmas."
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