Irish Saint produced a gutsy effort to land the Racing UK Subscribe For Cheltenham Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls' gelding had been backed throughout the morning as if defeat were out of the question but having looked in trouble as they began to turn in, he picked up strongly to respond to Ruby Walsh's urgings.
With the majority of the contest run at no more than a medium gallop, there were plenty of chances held with a couple of flights to take with Vasco Du Ronceray and his stablemate, Courtesy Call, both in good postions.
As the debutant weakened out of matters, Barry Geraghty was forced to go for home and though the grey battled on gamely, he was unable to repel the challenge of the well supported favourite.
The pair finishing some eight lengths clear of the Alan King trained, L'Unique.
The winner was clipped into 16/1 from 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle with Sky Bet.
