< Quito De La Roque demonstrated stamina in spades as he lifted the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas.
The 11-10 favourite was one of the first under pressure after disputing the early running with Royal De La Thinte and Western Charmer but he dug deep to reassert himself from the first-named at the last.
Royal De La Thinte took a tired fall at that obstacle which left Quito De La Roque in front with Western Charmer a further 14 lengths adrift in second.
Winning trainer Colm Murphy said: "He keeps plenty for himself and only does what he has to. He loves this soft ground and gets every yard of three miles. If he keeps improving he could be a proper three-mile chaser in time.
"He'll have an entry in the Moriarty, but the ground will determine where he goes and he wants a proper test. He'll have an entry at Cheltenham and we'll see what happens."< Shinrock Paddy was another who relished the testing conditions as he emerged a two-and-a-half-length victor in the Limestone Lad Hurdle.
Alain Cawley pushed on at the second-last aboard the 5-1 shot and while Donnas Palm finished to good effect, he could not close the gap.
"It was a 50-50 decision to run here as we were going to wait for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan (which will be his next run)," said handler Paul Nolan.
"Any day he has run well he has hit a flat spot. He has been a good servant and he'll go chasing next year.
"I don't think Barry (Connell, owner) is interested in bringing him to Cheltenham as he has disappointed a few times over there. Anyway the ground is essential to him - he wants it soft."< Old McDonald (8-1) justified trainer Noel Glynn's high opinion in the INH Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle and is now set for a step up in class.
"I've been saying for two years that he's the best I've ever had. He did that in some style even though he'd be way better on better ground," said Glynn.
"Robbie (Power, jockey) said to go over three miles now as he stays forever but he has a bit of toe as well and the Deloi
