Michael Hourigan told the press, 'this is a really serious horse that you'll be hearing a lot more of in the future.' That was after Mossbank won a point-to-point in 2005.
For the doubters and for those of the opinion that he was only capable of displaying his true colours when fresh, the Kadeed gelding stood up and was counted today.
Backed from a morning price of 11/2 with a leading layer, into a returned 7/2, Davy Russell's mount left his rivals for dead in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase.
In front two out, Mossbank stormed clear from the last to easily beat Knight Legend (beaten when getting the final fence wrong) by 8L.
Now a best-priced 10/1 for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday December 1st, Hourigan will discuss plans with owner, Michael O'Leary.
He said, 'Mossbank carried whatever (bug) I had last year and it is just great to see him here (Dorans Pride won this event four times and Beef Or Salmon once).
'I have probably found out how to train him. The secret is to keep him fresh. I'll talk to the owner and we will decide on a target in a week or so.'
Easy to back favourite, Justified was let down by his jumping, to the left for much, the writing on the wall from five out, last of the eight to complete, his finishing spot.
Tragically for connections of Jim, the 10yos exertions took their toll, as he collapsed and died after the race.
Jessica Harrington and Barry Geraghty, who joined forces with Knight Legend, were in the winner's enclosure half-an-hour later courtesy of Gazza's Girl.
Making amends for unseating in this valuable mares chase twelve months ago, the 15/8 favourite overcame a 220 absence with a gutsy success.
The daughter of Norwich got the better of Emma Jane close home by 1/2L prompting Harrington to say, 'she was a bit rusty on her first run back.
'Barry was delighted with her and when she warmed up she was good. The handicapper can't do much with her for that.
'She could go for something similar and she will probably step back up to three miles.'
Uncle Junior has certainly learned with jumping experience and he was very polished when justifying odds of 4/7 in the five-runner novice hurdle.
He headed his market rival, The Dotted Line, entering the straight, and soon asked to go clear by Ruby Walsh, the 8L outcome in no doubt from that point on.
Uncle Junior's trainer, Willie Mullins commented, 'Ruby said he is getting his own technique of jumping.
'He is starting to show his bumper form now and we'll go for another novice somewhere between two and a half to three miles.'
Willie Mullins doubled-up in the bumper with the newcomer, Itsmylife, ridden by his son, Patrick.
In the Australia versus Ireland jockeys challenge, the visitors now hold an advantage of 70 - 48 after a one two in the opening h'cap hurdle.
Brad McLean aboard Barker for James Barrett comprehensively beat off the attentions of his colleague, Gavin Bedggood on Orange Touch by 4 1/2L.
With a 22-point cushion heading into the final event of the series, the novice h'cap hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday, the Aussies have a virtually unassailable lead.
Scores are allocated on a 12-6-4-2 basis meaning the Irish team (Cullen/McNamara/ Madden/Power) will have to fill the first four placings at the weekend.
Ardalan (a half-brother to the top-class Azamour, and bought out of John Oxx's for E32,000 at last year's Goffs Autumn Sales) took the 3m h'cap hurdle.
Well-backed at a morning price of 6/1, the Paul Nolan-trained, Johnny Cullen-ridden 9/2 shot was left in front and slightly hampered by Oola Lad's fall two out.
He was then all out to hold off A New Story by a head. Nolan suggested that his charge handles summer soft o.k. so if the ground changes he could be left off.
Sportivo won the h'cap chase for John Joe Walsh and Andrew Leigh.
