Rokathir travelled smoothly on his way to landing the extended three-mile handicap hurdle in Punchestown.
He was on the heels of Plain Or Battered three out and almost on terms over the next. Topgun Simmy availed of a lovely seam up the inner to lead in the home straight as Plain Or Battered cracked, but Darragh O'Keeffe on Rokathir looked to be biding his time.
He gave him a squeeze to lead narrowly over the last and the 5/2 favourite stayed on well to draw four-and-three-quarter lengths clear of Topgun Simmy (11/1). Lucky Viv came home third at 17/2, beaten eight lengths by the winner.
O’Keeffe said: “He did everything right, he travelled great and jumped brilliant.
“He fell the last day here, but I actually felt I still had half a chance. The winner went on to win the other day in Fairyhouse. He had a nice weight on his back and coped with the ground well.
“He was a bit quirky when he first came, but the penny is starting to drop with him now. He’s a nice easy ride now, straightforward and jumps really well.
“Chasing will be his game as well. He seemed to handle that ground, soft ground or worse he seems to cope with it well.”
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