Limestone Lad made a quick return to action at Naas today and justified favouritism in the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle.
The eight-year-old, fourth to Istabraq in last Sunday's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, made it seven wins from 10 outings this season when outclassing Dorans Pride by eight lengths.
Shane McGovern's mount made every post a winning one at odds of 2-7 to encourage thoughts of a crack at the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle in March.
"He was more relaxed in himself today, both beforehand and in the race itself, and we will see about Cheltenham although he wouldn't like fast ground," said owner, trainer and breeder James Bowe.
McGovern has now won eight times from nine outings on Limestone Lad and remarked: "He was happy to be sitting in front and seemed to enjoy a bit of company when Dorans Pride closed.
"But I had plenty in the tank and he was going away at the finish."
Limestone Lad is likely to reappear at Navan in three weeks in the Boyne Hurdle, but runner-up Dorans Pride is set to make a quick return in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown next Sunday.
"I was happy with that run and if he is OK during the week he will run in the Hennessy," said trainer Michael Hourigan.
Paul Carberry missed a winner when arriving late for the opening Irish Racing Writers Novices Hurdle after being stranded when he mistakenly put petrol in his diesel car.
Jason Titley deputised aboard Sausalito Bay for Carberry's boss Noel Meade.
Making the running, Titley galvanised the former Ian Balding inmate after the second last when Aldino and French Style began to close, eventually beating the latter by two lengths.
"I knew it would take a good horse to pass Sausalito Bay, so I told Jason to go on with him because he is tough and has been pleasing us at home," said Meade.
Sausalito Bay, a 66,000 guineas purchase at the Newmarket Autumn Sales, is likely to have another run at Punchestown next month before taking his chance in the Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Carberry had some compensation for his late arrival when he in turn deputised for Adrian Maguire on the Tony Martin-trained Fandango De Chassy in the three-mile Cedar Building Handicap Chase.
The 7-4 favourite had to get maximum assistance from Carberry in the home straight as his younger brother Philip produced Call Me Dara with a renewed challenge before Tony Martin's charge asserted on the run-in.
"He is as tough a horse as I've ever had. He has now won five times on the track as well as two point-to-points, and he will take his chance now in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham because he needs about four miles to be at his best," said Martin.
Adrian Maguire's back problems resurfaced after Doncaster on Saturday, preventing him attempting to follow up his Fairyhouse success on the French-bred gelding earlier this month.
