Last year's Cheltenham Bumper winner Hairy Molly may be heading back there next month for the Brit Insurance Hurdle following a workmanlike victory in the 2m3f maiden hurdle.
The 8/13 favourite jumped to the front at the final flight but needed to be kept right up to his work by Barry Geraghty to beat Knowledge Box by three lengths.
'You couldn't judge anything on that ground, and he didn't jump that well early on but they were probably going too slow,' said trainer Joe Crowley.
'He's entered in the Ballymore Properties and the Brit Insurance and will more than likely go for the three miler but we'll have to talk it over.' Cashmans introduced him at 6/1 for the Brit Insurance.
Davy Russell kept Don't Be Bitin wide throughout in the 2m novice chase, and the tactics proved successful as the six-year-old headed Dunguaire Lad at the last to score by 1 1/2L.
'He's definitely better going right-handed and coming up the stands rail helped him. He just wasn't sparkling for some reason and may be starting to come to himself,' said trainer Eoin Griffin.
Griffin also reported Lounaos 'in great form' after her creditable fourth to Hardy Eustace in the 'AIG' stating, 'We gave her an easy week and she goes straight for the Triumph.'
He added, 'Kazal will go for a 2 1/2m Graded race here in two weeks, while Kendor Dine is having a break with a view to going for the Menolly Homes at Fairyhouse.'
Russell adopted a similar route aboard Carthalawn in the two miles 0-130 handicap chase, and the easy-to-back Charles Byrnes-trained gelding came from off the pace to beat Lakil Princess by 9L.
'Davy gave him a great ride, he jumped great and was completely switched off. He wants to be carrying less than 11st, and hopefully we can find a 0-140 two mile handicap,' said Byrnes.
Andrew Kinsella saddled his first winner when Max Almighty found a bit extra under pressure on the run-in for Barry Cash to beat hurdle newcomer Paramount by 3/4L in the 2m maiden hurdle.
The Athy based trainer has a mixed team of 12 horses in at present and has held a licence for two years.
Another Nation was all the rage (7/4-11/8) in the 2m3f handicap chase but could find no extra from the last as Derawar stayed on best for David Casey to win by three lengths.
David Broad and Keith Clarke teamed up to take the 2m3f handicap hurdle with Take Your Mark, who stayed on gamely on the run-in to beat Carrodown Boy by four lengths.
Raven's Run drew clear inside the final 1/4m of the bumper under Andrew Duff to readily outpoint evens favourite Mick The Man by eight lengths.
'They went no pace the last day at Gowran so I told Andrew to make sure that didn't happen again today,' said trainer Michael Cunningham.
He added, 'The owner Michael Heaslip has been with me for 30 years and is very keen to go to Cheltenham but he'd need some cut in the ground.'
Cashmans make him a 20/1 chance for the Festival Bumper.
Alan Magee
