Commanche Court, runner-up to Best Mate in the 2002 Gold Cup, heads back to the Cotswolds next month after gaining his first win for nearly three years in the two and a half miles handicap chase.
However the 1/3 favourite was made to work hard in this four runner event, with Ruby Walsh driving him up on the far side to edge out Kings Valley by half a length.
`I would like to have seen him do it better, but he did battle well and would have liked better ground and a much greater test of stamina,` said Ted Walsh.
He added, `Ruby said they didn`t go a great pace there, and I will either give him another run at Leopardstown in a fortnight or have a serious racecourse gallop.`
Bookmaker reaction was to leave his odds unchanged for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Cashmans going 14/1 and Ladbrokes 10/1.
Stable-companion Papillon weakened in the straight after enthusiastically making the running, and Walsh has an open mind on furture plans.
`I will give him another few runs and then decide about the Grand National. He`s sound and well but is a funny old monkey.`
Schwartzhalle caused a major shock when providing North Co Dublin handler David Harvey with his biggest success in the e50,000 Flyingbolt Novice Chase.
The six-year-old gelding set a scorching pace under Martin Mooney and, after being headed briefly in the straight, rallied gamely to beat Rathgar Beau by half a length.
Stage Affair put in a good round of jumping on his chasing debut but could find no extra from two out to finish another 3/4 length back in third.
`He was quite ordinary over hurdles but is a different horse since he`s gone over fences. I thought he would run well but didn`t think he could win,` said Harvey.
`There are plenty of nice races at Fairyhouse and Punchestown but really I hadn`t thought beyond today,` he added.
Dermot Weld has not given up on the Arkle Chase for Stage Affair but wants to get another run over fences into his charge in the next few weeks before finally deciding.
Supreme Developer belatedly opened his account over hurdles when justifying strong support under Barry Geraghty in division one of the maiden hurdle.
`That half puts him back in the picture for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle,` said trainer Tony Mullins after the Punchestown Champion Bumper winner had comfortably beaten Tandys Bridge by a length and a half.
He added, `We will have to sit down and think about it, but he will definitely be going to the Punchestown Festival. The ground was a bit better today, and that makes a difference to him.`
Geraghty completed a quick double when Emotional Moment appreciated the step up to three miles by landing the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle in fine style.
Tom Taaffe`s charge traveled smoothly throughout, and asserted before the last to beat Over The Bar by five lengths.
`He`s done that very well and, like Limestone Lad, is able to quicken up both over two miles and three. He will probably go for the Coral Cup atCheltenham, alternatively the County Hurdle if it`s very soft,` said Taaffe.
Cashmans have Emotional Moment sharing favouritism on 8/1 with yesterday`s Gowran Park winner Sacundai.
McGruders Cross made all for an impressive victory in the bumper to complete a double for trainer Tony Mullins.
The Premier Cat galloped his rivals into submission in the Grade 3 three miles novice chase, jumping well for Shay Barry and staying on strongly in the straight to beat Intelligent by 4 1/2 lengths.
`He seems to be improving all the time. I was thinking about the Midlands National but have decided not to travel abroad with him this season,` said trainer Tom Cahill.
He added, `The ground will determine where we go with him as he needs cut, and there are plenty of good novice races to pick from.`
Munster (3/1-5/2fav) overcame greenness to take division two of the maiden hurdle, with Conor O`Dwyer`s mount just touching off Rockwell Island in the final stride.
Right Job showed an impressive turn of foot on the run-in for Robert Power to beat Colnel Rayburn by six lengths in the handicap hurdle.
Alan Magee
