Class told in the Ballinrobe Races 90th Anniversary Hurdle as former Grade One winner Muirhead took the feature event at the Mayo track tonight.
Noel Meade 's charge, also runner-up in three Grade One events over timber including the Irish Champion Hurdle, looked a cut above his rivals.
Paul Carberry settled the 5/4 favourite behind leader Magical Memoir and he travelled sweetly into contention turning for home.
He soon settled matters from the final flight and went on for a cosy three-length success over the front-runner. Psycho who had challenged two out before crying enough before the last, crashed out at the final flight.
The winner had claimed the Royal Bond as a novice before making himself a fixture in top class hurdle races in the 08/09 and 09/10 seasons.
He is set to return to chasing having gone over the larger obstacles last season.
"That went more or less to script," said Meade afterwards.
"He'll probably go back over fences now and there is a winners' of one at the next Galway meeting.
"Then we'll see about the Kerry National. I know that will be a few quick runs but he does seem to handle the good ground well and we'll try and make hay while we can."
There was a massive crowd at the Mayo venue tonight as the racecourse celebrated it's 90th anniversary.
