Racing was fortunate to go ahead at Navan after freezing temperatures made the chase track unraceable, with the remaining five race card getting underway an hour later than scheduled at 1.15.
Dosco was the main hope for the 'Christmas expenses' with a lot of punters, and he took full advantage of a lenient mark on his switch back to hurdles in the two and a half miles handicap.
Roger Loughran got down to his bare minimum of ten stone aboard the evens favourite, who eased clear in the straight to beat What's In Front by 12 lengths.
'He could run in the three miles handicap at Leopardstown next week. At the moment he's well out of the handicap but is bound to get a big penalty for that,' said trainer Dessie Hughes.
Wins Now lived up to his name when taking the maiden hurdle in great style for 'Boots' and 'Slippers' Madden.
The J P McManus-owned gelding arrived full of running on the stands side in the straight and, after meeting the last flight wrong, sprinted clear on the run-in to beat Will Jamie Run by ten lengths.
'He should make a lovely chaser as he has a lot more respect for fences than hurdles,' said Madden senior, while a winners of one is probably next on the agenda.
Astalanda, sporting the colours of Rosie Carey and ridden by her elder 20-year-old brother Sonny, relished the testing conditions for a runaway success in the two miles handicap hurdle.
The Garvan Donnelly-trained filly was prominent throughout and stretched clear after the second last to beat Selous Scout by 11 lengths.
'She's a decent filly when things go her way. Her jumping has come together and she may go for an opportunity race at Punchestown next week,' said Donnelly.
Marikhar, the subject of some support when runner-up on the all-weather at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago, went one better when landing the four-year-olds' maiden hurdle.
The Alzao gelding made smooth headway under Alan Donoghue, leading after two out and overcoming an untidy jump at the last to hold the renewed effort of Slash And Burn by a length.
'He did it well and travelled well throughout,' said trainer Seamus Fahey, who plans to give him 'a bit of a break'.
Bronx Girl followed up her recent Punchestown win by again teaming up with Robbie McNamara to beat newcomer Sheriussa by two lengths in the mares bumper.
Alan Magee
