Paul Nolan made up for a few near-misses in recent weeks when Joncol landed the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.

Nolan has seen Alpha Ridge finish second in the Drinmore and Noble Prince occupy the same position in the Lismullen Hurdle along with a host of other runners from the yard going close recently.

But apparently relishing the testing conditions, Alain Cawley made sure it was a real test and he held off the challenge of 2006 winner In Compliance to win by five and a half lengths. Barker and Aran Concerto both fell.

Totesport were impressed and cut him into 25-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 40s.

"It was probably the first time we were 100% happy with him today," said Nolan.

"He's on a different programme this year and different diet and it seems to have turned him inside out.

"He's a big horse and we were waiting for him to tell us when he's ready.

"He's still only six and if he's OK after today we'll aim for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

"His owners have been very patient as he's had a very stop-start career with ulcers but we hope that's all sorted now.

"You'd have to think he could be a Gold Cup horse after that. I just hope he's not a mudlark horse but I don't think he is."

Jessica Harrington won the first two races on the card with Hugo De Vindecy (4-7 favourite) and Saludos (15-8).

"We might bring him to Limerick over Christmas or we might wait for a bit longer with him," said Harrington of the former.

Dessie Hughes' Lenabane (5-4 favourite) survived a bad blunder in the straight to rally back past Nolan's Sam Adams in the Go Racing In Kildare Beginners Chase.

"He's a stayer, a real three-mile chaser, and we'll probably go for the Grade One three-mile chase at Leopardstown over Christmas."