Colm Murphy received a timely boost ahead of Brave Inca's bid to defend his Champion Hurdle crown when Big Zeb ran out an impressive winner at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Barry Geraghty had few anxious moments on the Oscar gelding in the second division of the Special Olympics Maiden Hurdle as he powered to a 12-length success.
The six-year-old travelled sweetly into the lead before the second last and quickened clear before the final flight for an easy success over the staying on Best Malt.
'Thank god he won, that gives us more belief now,' said Murphy.
'We think this is a proper horse. He was unlucky in his bumpers to come up against the likes of Clopf. He's only now learning what to do and is settling better. He'll go for a little novice hurdle now and hopefully we'll end up at Punchestown.'
Murphy had an upbeat bulletin over his stable-star, who is set to travel tomorrow evening.
'Hopefully he'll go tomorrow evening and we couldn't be happier with him - he seems in serious order. We just need a bit of luck now.'
Jessica Harrington and Robert Power teamed up to secure a double courtesy of Classic Vic and Phantom Lad.
Classic Vic was awarded his victory in the stewards room after being narrowly edged out by Will Jamie Run in the first division of the Special Olympics Maiden Hurdle.
Will Jamie Run drifted left under pressure inside the final furlong, carrying his rival with him and the stewards ruled that had been enough to alter the result.
Harrington was delighted with the outcome: 'I'm absolutely thrilled as he has had leg trouble twice and everytime he runs it's a nightmare. If his legs stay right he could go chasing next year.'
Phantom Lad was sent off a 4/11 shot in the imperialcars.ie Hurdle and duly collected, leading before the last and staying on strongly to score by seven lengths from Earmark.
'This was a little warm up for the Irish Lincoln. Hopefully he gets in there and the plan at the moment is to run. He could then go for a winners race here at the Easter Festival.'
The opening contest produced a shock as 14/1 shot Derravarra Eagle proved too strong in the closing stages for hotpot Sweet Kiln (1/4f).
Conor Maxwell sent his mount to the lead after the third last and he stayed on strongly to hold the favourite by a length-and-a-quarter.
Trainer Mark Fagan wasn't too surprised by the result: 'He won a decent hurdle at Punchestown, beating Breathing Fire, and was third in a Grade 3 after.
'I can't explain his run last time but he might be better going right-handed. I would love to get black type with him and he might come back here for a novice hurdle.'
That's Moyne ran out a cosy winner of the Armagh Harps GFC Handicap Hurdle when quickening away from her field before the last for a five-length victory.
