Colonel Braxton, despite dropping back in trip and continually jumping to the left, successfully warmed up for next month's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in the featured Normans Grove Chase.
Dessie Hughes' charge lost considerable ground throughout the 2m1f event by his erratic jumping, but stayed on strongly in the straight under Kieran Kelly to beat Go Roger Go by 2L.
The 13/8 favourite Knife Edge was always up with the pace, but could find no extra from the last to finish a further length adrift in third.
'I'd say he jumped that way because he doesn't like being in front, and needs a lead. He didn't have much of a race there, and that will freshen him up for the Hennessy,' said Hughes.
The 8yo gelding is a 20/1 chance for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with Ladbrokes, Sean Graham and Cashmans.
Kelly, who partnered a treble at Punchestown yesterday, also teamed up with Hughes to take a share of the spoils with Liscannor Lad in the opening 5yo maiden hurdle.
The well-backed evens favourite dead-heated with Emmet, ridden by Timmy Murphy who was deputising for the injured Norman Williamson.
Williamson severely bruised an ankle in a fall from Fondmort at Kempton yesterday, and is likely to be sidelined for a few days.
Michael Bowe today gave the strongest hint yet that Limestone Lad would go for the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next Sunday.
Bowe was speaking after stable-companion Florida Coast landed the 3m novice hurdle in fine style under Robert Power.
'Florida Coast has had a lot of problems but, if he comes out of this race alright, then he may go for the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle at Naas on Saturday.'
'Limestone Lad is in the form of his life at the moment, and deserves a crack at the AIG. I would say at this stage it looks as if we will run him at Leopardstown.'
Florida Coast, who blew hard after returning to the winners enclosure, was given a 25/1 quote by Cashmans for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Incidentally Noel Meade reports Scottish Memories '100 per cent and a definite runner' in the AIG after saddling Borora King to take the 3m1f handicap chase.
Paul Carberry's mount gradually wore down No Stranger in the straight, and the Grand National Trial at Punchestown is now a possible target.
McGruders Cross is 25/1 with Cashmans (only 10/1 with Powers) for the Cheltenham Bumper after sprinting clear to make an impressive debut under Pa Murphy.
'I was surprised the way he went away at the finish, and he'll go for a winners race before we think about Cheltenham,' said trainer Tony Mullins.
Schwartzhalle (14/1 but paid 39.40 on the Tote) stayed on dourly under Martin Mooney in the closing stages of the beginners chase to overhaul Kings Glen.
Alan Magee
