Emperors Guest recorded a shock win when benefiting from a fine attacking ride by Robert Power to land the featured two miles novice chase on this Betfair sponsored card.
The 16/1 outsider made every yard and, with a number of his rivals blundering away their chance including Anxious Moments falling at the first, galloped on strongly to beat Camden Tanner by eight lengths.
'Robert was adamant that he would go on, and the tactics and his jumping won it,' said trainer Paddy Mullins' son Tom.
Zum See staked his claim for a trip to Cheltenham when easily justifying favouritism in the novice hurdle, confidently ridden by Paul Carberry to beat Corrib Boy by two lengths.
'He has scoped very badly after a number of outings in the past year including when runner-up to Sadlers Wings at Navan last time,' said Noel Meade.
He added, 'We tried different treatment this time and it seems to have worked. He's in the Supreme Novices' and would like good ground.'
Monty's Pass showed alot more sparkle than his previous hurdle run at Gowran Park, staying on one-paced in the straight to finish a respectable eighth of 14.
Dublin Hunter was prominent throughout in the three miles maiden hurdle, and kept on strongly under Paddy Flood to beat Tom Sayers by five lengths.
'He was guaranteed to get the trip, and being rated 102 was good enough to win a maiden hurdle. He may go for a three miles winners race at Clonmel on Thursday,' said Dessie Hughes.
The Curragh trainer plans to have three runners at the Cheltenham Festival - Hardy Eustace (Champion Hurdle or Coral Cup), Central House (Arkle Chase) and Mutineer (Pertemps Final).
'If Rhinestone Cowboy runs in the Coral Cup then Hardy Eustace would go there instead of the Champion as there would be very few in the handicap,' said Hughes.
Willie Mullins introduced yet another smart bumper performer when Green Peach impressively landed the odds under an ultra confident waiting ride by Jamie Codd.
'I was disappointed Clonmel was off last Sunday as that was his last chance to qualify for the Cheltenham Bumper. He looks a future chaser, and would need some cut to run at Fairyhouse or Punchestown,' said Mullins.
The Moyne Machine heads for a Listed two miles handicap at Punchestown next Sunday after readily landing the handicap chase under Ian Power.
'She's improving all the time and the owner would like to get her some black type,' said trainer Tim Doyle.
Le Monde will also bid for a quick follow up over three furlongs extra at the same Punchestown meeting after coming out best in an exciting finish to the 2m3f handicap hurdle.
Mark Walsh's mount was in the air together with both Cadou Royal and Supergood at the final flight, and kept on best to beat the latter by three quarters of a length.
Alan Magee
