< Alaivan made a triumphant return to the racecourse when scooping Listed honours at Naas.
Edward O'Grady's Grade Two-winning four-year-old had been off the track since May when he came unstuck at Auteuil.
His class has never been called into question, however, as he finished third in last season's Triumph Hurdle.
And on the evidence of his display in the Fishery Lane Hurdle, another big season could be on the cards.
Always well to the fore for Andrew McNamara, the 8-11 favourite had only Son Amix for company in the home straight and he was always doing enough to hold off him off by three lengths.
O'Grady said: "It's not easy to place these four-year-olds. He is a nice horse, but I don't really know where he'll go next.
"The good two-miler at Leopardstown (December Festival Hurdle) is the only race for him at Christmas.
"Anyway, I'm pleased he's won here."
O'Grady was less fortunate 30 minutes earlier after Osana succumbed to the Tony Martin-trained Psycho in the Become A Naas Annual Member Chase.
The 11-10 favourite cut out much of the running, but was being ridden along on the turn for home, while Davy Russell loomed up menacingly on Martin's charge.
Brought over to the stands side rail, the 2-1 scorer quickly had the race in safe-keeping, and only had to be kept up to his work at the finish to secure a four-and-a-half-length verdict.
Martin said: "He is in the Lexus and if it cut up into a small field that could be an option.
"He's also in the Dial-A-Bet over two miles & ndash; he has plenty of entries."
Noel Meade and Davy Condon were also in top trim as Medical Card and Loup Du Saubouas both struck in their respective heats.
The latter was of particular interest in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase as he had not won since November 2006.
Meade said: "The horse worked extremely well last Saturday so we knew he had his chance coming here."< Carrigmartin Dolphin Bay and Sugar Bullet were also on the scoresheet on an informative afternoon in Co Kildare.
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