Champion hurdler Istabraq (1/4-2/9) powered home in great style under Charlie Swan to win the AIG Champion Hurdle for the third successive year.
'Better than ever,' remarked the former champion rider after he came home 4l clear of Stage Affair who ran a cracker for British champion Tony McCoy.
'You'd have to be happy with him and he'll go straight to Cheltenham,' said Aidan O'Brien, who also saddled Yeoman's Point (5th) and Theatreworld which trailed in last.
Limestone Lad was headed rounding the home turn and weakened to finish 4th and was reported to have a slight overreach on his near-fore but was post race normal.
On Cheltenham plans, Dermot Weld said of Stage Affair, ' We'll keep our options open and the novice race is the obvious choice but I wouldn't rule out the champion yet.'
Florida Pearl (2/5-4/9-2/5f) had to battle hard up the run-in for Paul Carberry to just hold a gallant Amberleigh House and his younger brother Philip in the 2m3f handicap chase.
Willie Mullins' top-weight wasn't that fluent down the back straight but he swept into the lead over the 2nd last with a good leap before holding on for SH win.
'He comes back here for the Hennesy in two weeks time. He picked up and battled and at least he's back to a bit of form,' said Willie Mullins.
Speaking about a recent setback with Florida Pearl, Mullins revealed, ' He got a little knock under his fetlock joint and he was in his box for 4 or 5 days but hopefully it's all cleared now.'
Bookmakers reacted by extending his Gold Cup odds to 8/1 (from 7/1).
Noel Meade nominated the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham for Frozen Groom (9/4) after he recorded his second victory over fences in the Baileys Arkle.
Initiating a double for Paul Carberry, he may run again at Punchestown later this month en route to the Cotswolds.
Meade warned about Cheltenham, ' He jumps well but whether he comes up the hill or not is another thing. I'm not so sure.'
Thats Fine By Me (3/1-7/2) was found to be in respiratory distress after trailing in 9th behind Boss Doyle and Charlie Swan in the opener.
Winning trainer Mouse Morris completed a double later when Monifeth Man justified support from 20/1 to 11/1 when coming home 5l clear of Kirmar in the hands of Tony McCoy.
Following a Jackpot carryover, the pool swelled to #78,171 with 522 winners scooping a win dividend of #112.30 after Cathal Swords partnered It Takes Time to win the winners bumper.
Sean Treacy and Aidan Fitzgerald teamed up to win the concluding 4yo contest with Roomtoroom Express which stayed on under a determined drive to hold warm fav. Sigma Dotcomm by a neck.
Greg Harford was deemed to have used his whip with excessive frequency aboard the runner-up and was handed a two-day ban.
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