Rachael Blackmore and Deep Cave provide minor consolation for De Bromhead team

Deep Cave, a £235,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-to-point, shaped with significant promise when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month, though, and was an 11-4 chance to go one better.

POWERING HOME: Deep Cave and Rachael Blackmore win for trainer Henry de Bromhead from Lot Of Joy.

Deep Cave lunged late to provide Henry de Bromhead with a welcome tonic in the opening Savills Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The Knockeen handler failed to saddle a winner across the first two days of the Christmas Festival and less than an hour before day three got under way, he was forced to withdraw his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard from the featured Savills Chase on veterinary advice.