Aintree The Long-Term Aim For Butler's

Butler's Cabin earned a quote of 33-1 for the 2008 John Smith's Grand National after pulling off a remarkable double with victory in the Powers Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

Tony McCoy's mount became the first horse to win at the Cheltenham Festival and follow up in this prestigious contest since Omerta scored on the back of his 1991 Kim Muir success.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained 14-1 shot ? winner of last month's National Hunt Chase ? caught the eye turning for home and jumped to the lead over the last, eventually holding Ferdy Murphy's Nine De Sivola by a length to lead home a British-trained one-two.

But in almost an identical repeat of the scenes that followed his Cheltenham win, Butler's Cabin ? who picked up a 100,000 euro bonus for the double ? came off the racecourse on weary legs and again failed to make it to the winner's enclosure.

However, O'Neill was happy to report his charge to be none the worse for his exertions.

He said: 'The horse is grand now ? him getting tired happens all the time as he gets a bit excited. It doesn't worry him though and he always out kicking and bucking in the field the next day.

'He's a great jumper and he had a great spin round. He jumped away well and it all went right for him.

'I didn't have to do that much to him after Cheltenham ? the horse did all of the work and he's very easy to train.

'He's in the Betfred Gold Cup, but you don't want to press the button too many times so I imagine it would be next year before you see him again.

'All being well, we'll look forward to Aintree next year.'

Willie Mullins dominated the opening exchanges on the card with a near 11-1 double courtesy of the evergreen Adamant Approach and rising star Scotsirish.

The former, voted Horse Of The Year in Ireland for the current campaign, was taking his seventh race inside the past 12 months with victory in the three-mile Racing Post In Ireland Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh switched the 13-year-old off at the rear of the field before making stealthy headway to sit on the heels of the leaders turning towards the final two flights.

Walsh then drove the 7-4 favourite up on the outside to take control over the last and see off Sky's The Limit and Forget The Past by four and a half lengths and 10 lengths respectively.

Mullins said: 'Ruby waited all day with him and that is the way he likes to be ridden ? he loves coming through horses.

'All ground comes alike to him so roll on Galway and Punchestown, where I will look for a race over a trip for him.'

Scotsirish, who disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival, looked much more the finished article when landing the Ladbrokes.com Hurdle under Davy Condon.

The six-year-old was still travelling strongly when commanding the lead on the far side of the track and he strode out with purpose to beat the 5-2 favourite Heavenly Blues by four lengths.

Mullins added of the 100-30 shot: 'He will go to Punchestown and I might try him over two and a half miles in the Grade One race there.

'There is plenty of speed on the dam's side and he will shape up to be a nice two-mile or two-and-a-half-mile chaser.'

Essex faces a step up in trip at Punchestown after he overcame a 337-day absence in the Listed Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Michael O'Brien's seven-year-old has been plagued by injury but the former Pierse Hurdle and Totesport Trophy hero appeared back to his best under Andrew Lynch.

The 7-2 shot led soon after the third-last and kept the persistent challenge of Sweet Kiln at bay by three lengths.

O'Brien's assistant Denis Cullen said: 'Last year he was racing against Brave Inca and those other good horses.

'He goes well fresh and the horses are coming out from under a cloud.'

(C) PA Sport