Fota Island enhanced his Champion Chase claims with victory in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse but Central House proved a disappointment in the Grade 2 contest.
Only four went to post in the 2m1f event and 4/5f Central House took the field along. He was ridden entering the straight, however, and was joined by the other three at the third last.
Fota Island jumped to the fore, under Tony McCoy, and soon asserted, keeping on well to beat Old Flame by four lengths. Central House was eased after a bad mistake two out and was found to be lame post race.
'He can't do any more than win. He jumped well out of that ground. When I walked the ground earlier it was a bit tacky and I thought we might only be second,' said winning trainer Mouse Morris.
'He's on track now for the Champion Chase and will go straight there. He's a better horse on better ground, we know that from the form book. Tony was happy with him as well.'
Fota Island hardened in the betting for the Cheltenham two-mile showpiece, with Paddy Power cutting him to 6/1 from 9/1.
McCoy had initiated a double in the previous race when hot-pot Firth Of Forth (1/2f) scraped home by a neck from 20/1 shot Druids Cross in the Mulhuddart Novice Hurdle.
The favourite moved into the lead approaching the second last but Druids Cross proved a stubborn opponent and rallied after the last to give odds-on backers a scare.
Our Ben was another short-priced favourite who was made to work, as Lissbonney Project chased him home in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
Ruby Walsh hit the front after the fourth last on the 4/6f but had to keep him up to his work down the straight to gain a two-and-a-half length victory.
Walsh went on to record a double when Rare Ouzel claimed the Dunshaughlin Handicap Chase.
Code Of Rules, brought down at Tramore last time, gained compensation in the opening Kehoe Ceilings & Partitions Maiden Hurdle while The Black Mouse benefited from the final flight fall of Aghacashel Angel in the Kilbride Handicap Hurdle.
