< Don Cossack proved a class apart from his three rivals in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Already the highest-rated chaser in the UK or Ireland before the Grade One contest, the 2-11 favourite cruised into the lead at the fifth from home.

Bryan Cooper allowed himself a long look round on the home turn, before easing Gordon Elliott's charge to an eight-length success over Rocky Creek

Elliott and Cooper kicked off the day with a comprehensive victory for French import Missy Tata in the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle.

Travelling ominously well approaching the second last, the even-money favourite skipped clear after that obstacle and kept on well to beat Lake Champlain by 19 lengths.

Elliott bagged his treble on the card when Nina Carberry eased Death Duty (1-2 favourite) to a cosy victory in the Daily Mirror (Pro/Am) Flat Race.< Ptit Zig gave Paul Nicholls his seventh win in eight years in the Grade Two Powers Irish Whiskey Chase.

Sent off the 4-5 favourite to regain the crown Nicholls lost to Don Cossack last year, he had to be pushed along by Sam Twiston-Davies before the home turn, but he rounded the bend in a clear lead and kept that advantage, beating Clarcam by nine and a half lengths.< De Name Escapes Me justified 7-4 favouritism when battling to victory in the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle.

Noel Meade's charge had to be rousted along by Mark Walsh to keep ahead of Space Cadet but he was slicker over the last two flights, enabling him to secure a length success.

William Treacy's Fethard Player (7-1) shrugged off the steadier of top weight to win the Billecart-Salmon Handicap Hurdle in good style under Danny Mullins, beating Misty Lady by five lengths.

Sandra Hughes' Knockanarrigan (8-1) got back to winning ways with a gutsy victory under Brian Hayes in the Rainbow Communications Handicap Chase.