Banbury Lad has made an instant impact in his new role.

The five-time winner on the flat made a successful jumping debut at Te Aroha on Wednesday with a dashing front-running victory in The Dentist Morrinsville Hurdle (3100m).

“He’s showed plenty of promise and he’s a big, bold jumper,” trainer Rudy Liefting said.

“He’s a bit of a thinker and I’ve been hoping hurdling would keep him entertained and it looks like it has.”