The Smurfit Champion Hurdle picture was further clouded after the Irish equivalent, the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle, when French raider Foreman beat outsiders Georges Girl and Fota Island.
The six-year-old Foreman, trained and ridden by Thierry Doumen, was driven to the front after the last and just held on by a head from the patiently-ridden Georges Girl with the always prominent Fota Island 1 1/2L back in third.
Spirit Leader held every chance two out finishing another head back in fourth, while Davenport Milenium dropped back to fifth.
'For a long time I've felt he was a Grade 1 horse. He's tough and honest and battled away well,' said a delighted Doumen.
Winning owner JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry commented, 'You would have to question whether this is up to Champion Hurdle standard but he's entitled to take his chance at Cheltenham.'
Kicking King has Cheltenham firmly in his sights after justifying 11/10 favouritism under Barry Geraghty in the Baileys Arkle Cup.
Tom Taaffe's charge headed the front-running Mossy Green three out and, despite veering left at the final fence, kept on to beat Central House by three and a half lengths.
'I was pleased that his jumping was clever but he was not as fresh today as I would like. He will have a little break, and will be a lot fresher horse for the Arkle at Cheltenham,' said Taaffe.
The Straffan trainer has decided to switch Emotional Moment back to hurdling after the gelding unseated Geraghty over fences at Naas yesterday.
'He lacks a bit of scope for fences and will go now for either the Boyne Hurdle at Navan or the Red Mills (Gowran) with a view to running in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.'
Geraghty was completing a double having also landed the opening maiden hurdle on another 11/10 favourite John Oliver.
The head victory over Poachin Again was only confirmed after a lengthy stewards enquiry into possible interference in the closing stages.
'He dossed a bit in front, and will probably go for the Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle here in a fortnight,' said trainer Edward O'Grady, who won this race last year with Back In Front.
The stewards were not impressed by the running of a number horses here, with the rider of fourth placed Nassaro (J P Ennis) given a seven day ban for insufficient effort.
Connections of Upton Gem (ninth) were penalised under the 'non-trier' rule, with rider William Callaghan also suspended for seven days, the horse for 42 days and trainer John Murphy fined E800.
Paul Carberry was stood down until Wednesday after this race as he felt very sore following the effects of a kick in his right lower back at Naas yesterday.
Ian Power deputised for Carberry on Watson Lake in the betfair.com Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle, and the pair scored in impressive fashion.
The Noel Meade-trained gelding cruised past Away Home approaching the final flight, and was eased down close home for a comfortable four lengths win.
'He's class and the key is to get him relaxed. He has an engine and the size and scope to make a fantastic chaser, although I'd say he wants soft ground,' said Meade.
'The Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle is a possible as I also have Zum Zee and Mark The Man, and he'll be entered in both novice hurdles at Cheltenham.'
William Kennedy (22) partnered his second winner when the Noel Chance-trained Supreme Leisure led a furlong out to take the bumper.
Alan Magee
