Bellshill and Ruby Walsh approach the line in Navan © Photo Healy Racing
Bellshill had too much artillery for Tycoon Prince as he outgunned him by 12 lengths in the Grade Two Navan Novice Hurdle.
The five-year-old, ridden by Ruby Walsh, tracked stablemate Stone Hard before assuming the lead when that horse unseated jockey Paul Townend at the fifth last hurdle.
The 4/6 favourite had Tycoon Prince upsides at the second last but he readily asserted upon landing and put in a good leap at the last to seal the deal.
Tycoon Prince could make no impression on the run-in as Bellshill was eased down in the closing stages.
Ruby Walsh said: "It was probably a hindrance [Stone Hard departing]. Paul was going a lovely gallop in front and left me in front. I kind of slowed it down then. He jumped well. It's only his second run, he'll probably improve a bit that way.
"He showed a really good turn of foot down to the second last and away from it that he probably didn't possess as a bumper horse so it looks like he has improved a bit from last year.
"He really quickened well today. It was something he didn't do in bumpers. Patrick (Mullins) made plenty of use of him because of that. It's a good sign. I like this fella."
Willie Mullins said: "I know there were very few runners but there was very good opposition.
“The manner in which he quickened from the second last in that ground, I was very taken with him.
“I was particularly pleased the way he handled the ground. He can tidy up his jumping but did everything nicely.
“He'll probably go to Naas for the Lawlor's Hotel Hurdle next month.”
He said of Stone Hard: "I'm a bit disappointed with the other horse. I don't know what happened him. He missed a few early on as well."
Paddy Power made Bellshill 7/1 joint favourite for the Neptune (from 10/1jf) and kept him unchanged at 16/1 for the Supreme Novices and 20/1 for the Albert Bartlett.
On the decision to switch the Hilly Way Chase from Cork (which was cancelled today due to flooding) to Navan tomorrow, Mullins said: "I'm delighted they got the Hilly Way on. It's good as we need all those races. The horses that contest them only have a certain amount of races they can go for.
“The ground is a worry for Felix Yonger but it would have been the same in Cork. I'm delighted that they got the race on and have to thank Navan and HRI for the adjustment.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
