Alexander Banquet is the new favourite for the Martell Grand National, and a serious contender for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, following a hard-earned victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
'He deserved a big race win but I have mixed feelings,' was trainer Willie Mullins reaction.
Mullins` 'mixed feelings' were in reference to the disappointing run of Florida Pearl, who weakened approaching the last and was eventually beaten over 25L in fourth.
The three miles event was sensibly run at a modest pace in light of the very testing ground, and only a couple of lengths seperated the five runners at the second last. Sackville was the first to crack, with Alexander Banquet striking the front entering the straight.
Behrajan, who appeared well beaten before the last, stayed on really well in the closing stages to get within a length-and-a-half, while Rince Ri kept on onepaced a further four lengths back in third.
Mullins confirmed afterwards that both Alexander Banquet (generally 12/1) and Florida Pearl (16`s) will be aimed at the Cheltenham showpiece, and the Grand National is also a likely target for the winner.
'The dream goes on!' beamed Christy Roche after Like-A-Butterfly maintained her unbeaten record by giving weight all round in the Deloitte And Touche Novice Hurdle.
The 8yo mare was ridden close to the pace throughout by Charlie Swan and, after putting in a fine round of jumping, drew clear in the closing stages to beat Sacundai by 5L.
'Charlie said she idled in front, would love a lead and had lots left in the tank,' revealed Roche afterwards.
He added, 'She has the option of both novice hurdles at Cheltenham, and the ground will be a big factor in deciding which race to go for.'
There was a controversial outcome to the opening Cashmans Bookmakers Juvenile Hurdle with Newhall awarded the race in the stewards room.
Scolardy led before the last and held Newhall on the run-in for 1/2L `winning` margin, but the placings were reversed following an incident approaching the home turn.
Ruby Walsh switched Scolardy right after two out badly hampering Turtleback, who in turn pushed Newhall wide at the final bend.
However the interference to Newhall seemed minimal, and Scolardy`s connections are considering an appeal. Walsh was given a one day suspension for careless riding.
The result had little impact on the ante-post market for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, with the first two home both quoted at 20/1 by Ladbrokes.
Harbour Pilot was slashed to 8/1 (from 20`s) for the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase with Sean Graham after restoring his reputation in the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.
Paul Carberry`s mount wore down Truckers Tavern on the run-in to score by 6L, with Youlneverwalkalone finding little under pressure in the straight a further 15L adrift.
'He made a bad mistake in the back straight, and was also carrying a big penalty, when beaten here at the Christmas meeting,' said trainer Noel Meade.
'But he has done little wrong otherwise over fences, and hopefully the ground won`t be too fast at Cheltenham,' added Meade.
Sheltering (1/4f) suffered a shock defeat in the hunter chase, where Ten Poundsworth swept past on the run-in resulting in a 57,648 euro jackpot carryover.
Joe Blake held a slight advantage over the odds-on fav when falling at the final fence.
The Galway Man could join stablemate Supreme Developer in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper after making a winning debut in the finale.
Runner-up Whithworth Ben ran an extraordinary race, virtually pulled up when failing to negotiate the final bend before staying on strongly in the straight.
