Jim Dreaper looks to have another decent stayer on his hands after Royal De La Thinte s (9-2) victory in the Punchestown Hospitality Beginners Chase.
Second to subsequent Grade One winner Bostons Angel on his first start for the stable, he went one better in no uncertain terms under Andrew Lynch, beating last season's Drinmore runner-up Alpha Ridge by 10 lengths.
"I've been told by a few people that he is a real 'Dreaper' horse as he is slow but stays going!" said Dreaper.
"I'll enter him for the RSA Chase and the four-miler at Cheltenham and he may run next in a three-mile conditions race at Naas in a few weeks' time."
Stan James make Royal De La Thinte a 25-1 chance for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Shark Hanlon 's Luska Lad went down fighting trying to concede over two stones to Four Chimneys (16-1) in the Buy Your Tickets Online At www.punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle.
Luska Lad only ran two days ago behind Hurricane Fly and looked to have done enough at the head of affairs, but Andrew Leigh got a good tune out of the Willie Austin-trained winner. However, the stewards did hand him a three-day whip ban.< Jumbo Rio (13-8 favourite) was last seen running in the Hatton's Grace so it was no surprise to see him finding life easier in the Follow Punchestown Facebook Hurdle.
Edward O'Grady's charge was eased right down by Andrew McNamara in beating On The Way Out by a neck.
"He'll run in the Galmoy Hurdle next but we will avoid Cheltenham as he prefers a flat track. I might send him back to France later in the season too," said O'Grady.< Blazing Tempo (9-10 favourite) was an easy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
"I was very happy with the way she came back to two miles from two and a half, and while I'll try to keep her to mares' races, she'll be entered in the better novice races too," said Mullins.< Unaccompanied (4-5 favourite) was a first winner over jumps for the Moyglare Stud in the Festival Hospitality On Sale 3-Y-O Maid
