Barry Geraghty not surprisingly fancied his chances on Lounaos and Glenfinn Captain (fell when in front four out). However the former did the business and he initiated a double on Hot Port.
Lounaos was shortened in all ante-post lists for the Triumph Hurdle as she took the Grade 2 Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle in a very professional manner.
Leading travelling easily at the penultimate flight, she was clear before the last and the 5/4 favourite kept on well under pressure on the run-in to beat the promising Robin Du Bois by 3 1/2L.
Eoin Griffin said of his Leopardstown November Handicap heroine, 'I'm thrilled to bits. She is as tough as old boots and is the easiest horse in the world to train, she is a old pet around the yard.
'Cheltenham is a long way off but she will obviously get an entry and she will also be entered for Aintree too.'
Hot Port won a point-to-point at Ballysteen back in April, owned by a syndicate headed by Stonehall hunt treasurer, Tommy Kelly, and he made it fourth time lucky on the track in the second.
In the hands of Geraghty, this fellow unsurprisingly showed stamina in abundance to get up and defeat well-backed favourite, The Very Man by a neck for Eric McNamara.
Another which seems to enjoy the Foxrock venue is Schindlers Hunt as the course maiden hurdle winner took the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Novice Chase for Dessie Hughes and Roger Loughran.
He was left second four out when Glenfinn Captain fell, the 3/1 shot led travelling well at the last and he stayed on strongly on the run-in to beat the coming home well, early leader, Hear The Echo.
Dessie Hughes said afterwards, 'he is some horse to be able to stay two and a half miles (when runner-up in the Drinmore) and to have the pace that he showed there as well.
'The Arkle Chase back here will be next and he likes a good galloping track.' Sean Graham make him a 14/1 chance from 20s for the equivalent contest at Cheltenham in March.
A first-time tongue tie obviously helped Charlie Yardbird improve significantly from his hurdling bow at Cork back in November as he landed the opening maiden hurdle.
Paul Carberry got to the front aboard the son of Accordion approaching the last and Noel Meade's chestnut stayed on well to beat Deep Thinker by 3L.
On a day that yielded winners all over the place, Townabrack was another for Meade in the bumper, the newcomer getting the better of a good scrap with Whatuthink. Nina Carberry rode.
Valley Of Giants, a son of Giant's Causeway, showed that testing ground was no barrier to success as he won the h'cap hurdle for Jessica Harrington and Andrew Leigh.
Mansony defied a 252 day absence in the h'cap chase. This Ascot Victor Chandler Chase bound 7yo beat Our Ben by 2L for Arthur Moore and Davy Russell.
