Supreme Novice Hurdle ante-post fav. Ned Kelly kept his unbeaten record over hurdles intact but not without giving his supporters some anxious moments in the INH Novice Hurdle.
Edward O'Grady's 5yo came under strong pressure on the run to the 2nd last and looked destined for defeat but, to the credit of both horse and rider Norman Williamson, the 1/2f battled on tenaciously to score.
In the end he had a length to spare over a gallant Native Endurance with Penny Rich, conceding 3lb to the winner, a further 2 1/2L adrift in third.
Bookmaker reaction was to make Sue Magnier's Ned Kelly a best price 11/4 chance for Cheltenham honours next month.
'He'll be more fluent on better ground -he just doesn't like that ground, ' declared O'Grady before he added:
' Norman said he felt he was beaten at the 2nd last but he battled back like a good horse. We've left a bit to work on and hopefully that will leave him right.'
The O'Grady/Williamson alliance also struck a winning cord in the opening 2m maiden hurdle when Best Grey put his head in front where it mattered at the expense of Adamant Approach and Ruby Walsh in a thriller.
The Tied Cottage Novice Chase proved a bit of a damp squib when Knife Edge and Takagi didn't take part resulting in a depleted four-runner field.
The former was withdrawn with a lung infection while Edward O'Grady's dual winner was reported to be off feed.
The contest still worked out well for favourite backers when Arthur Moore's Glenelly Gale (1/1f) toyed with his rivals throughtout the journey under an ultra confident Conor O'Dwyer before the pair forged clear on the run to the last.
Paul Roche, who acquired a training licence when his father John retired last October, recorded his biggest success to date when Northern Sound and Garrett Cotter defeated Call Me Dara in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
'Garrett lost his stick a few fences out but she jumped really well today. She'll be entered for the Kim Muir in the morning and after that she's entitled to go there,' said a delighted former rider Roche.
Favourite backers looked to heading in the right direction when Kings Valley loomed up ominously rounding the home turn but the the 11/4 fav. crashed out 2 out.
Rider Norman Williamson was stood down for the remainder of the day after receiving a slight knock to his head.
Bobbyjo finished 8th after a terrible blunder at the 2nd last and it appeared afterwards all was not well with the 1999 Aintree National hero with his participation in April now in doubt.
Cotter was back in the winners enclosure again after he forced 10/1 chance Magical Approach up close home to touch off Unforgotton Star.
Summer In Siberia joined the Willie Mullins Cheltenham bumper bandwagon when he camefrom off the pace under a patient James Nash to defeat stable-companion Mossy Green.
'He ran a bit free at Punchestown last May but he goes to Cheltenham after that,' said Mullins.
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