Brave Inca is clear favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle after landing the AIG Europe sponsored Irish equivalent as Hardy Eustace trailed in last of the seven runners.
Tony McCoy had the locally owned syndicate horse up with the pace throughout and, with Hardy Eustace going out like a light two out, it was left to Macs Joy to throw down a serious challenge.
However Macs Joy came off the bridle at the last, and Brave Inca stayed on strongly on the run-in to beat last year's winner by 1L with Golden Cross a never dangerous 4L back in third.
'He was very good today and I've always said the better the ground the better he'll be. Physically he's so much stronger than last year,' said delighted trainer Colm Murphy.
Murphy has not yet discussed a possible replacement if McCoy is retained by J P McManus for Lingo at Cheltenham saying, 'We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.'
Brave Inca is a top-priced 5/2 with Boylesports for Cheltenham with Hardy Eustace out to 6/1 with Paddy Power, while Cashmans go a best of 10/1 about Macs Joy.
Hardy Eustace was virtually pulled up in the straight and Conor O'Dwyer reported he was 'never happy.' 'He was quite Flat and made a mistake which is not like him.'
Macs Joy and Sadlers Wings (fourth) are both on course for Cheltenham, with Barry Geraghty commenting, 'Macs Joy ran a great race and is well on the way back.'
Missed That will bid for an 'Arkle Chase' double at Cheltenham in March after landing the Grade 1 Baileys-sponsored 2m1f novice in typically determined fashion.
A number of reputations were damaged with Nickname pulled up before three out and Justified dropping out tamely after relinquishing the lead on the home turn to finish third.
Missed That took a while to get into the thick of the action but gradually wore down Arteea, who briefly looked a winner early in the straight, to score by 3/4L.
'His jumping was a bit sticky early on but David (Casey) let him find his feet and gave him a super ride. He's improving all the time and can go on better ground,' said trainer Willie Mullins.
Last year's Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner was cut in all bookmaker lists for the 'Arkle' with Cashmans going 7/1 (from 10's) and Grahams most impressed offering 7/2 (from 12's).
Nickname scoped abnormal afterwards and Conor O'Dwyer said, 'He hit the first fence down the back straight (fourth) and never travelled after that.'
Nicanor is 8/1 second favourite with Cashmans for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle after making good use of a 14lb weight concession from Travino in the Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle.
The race was between the pair inside the final half mile with Nicanor travelling by far the better, and Paul Carberry eventually eased his mount clear from before the last to score by 11L.
Equus Maximus will be part of Willie Mullins bumper team at Cheltenham (14/1 with Grahams) after making a winning debut in the finale.
The 6yo gelding made most of the running under Katie Walsh and shrugged off the challenge of Lord Lumey in the final furlong to win by three lengths.
Vintage Gold just held the renewed effort of Schindlers Hunt by a short-head in the 2m maiden hurdle, and the Supreme Novices entry will be aimed at a winners race before any Cheltenham decision is made.
'The fast pace suited us but what he needs is real good ground as he'll bounce off it,' said trainer Charles O'Brien.
Group 3 winner Bobs Pride was sent off the 11/8 favourite on his hurdling debut but didn't jump with any real fluency and could find no extra in the straight finishing fifth.
Solar System rallied gamely in the closing stages of the Clarkson 2m3f handicap chase to deny Green Belt Flyer by a length with Zum See the same distance back in third.
The stewards enquired into two incidents before and after the final fence but the result remained unaltered.
Good Thyne Jack completed a four-timer in the 2m6f handicap hurdle, quickening up nicely after the last for Robert Power to beat Not Today Sir by three lengths.
Alan Magee
