< Alaivan starred in a 51-1 treble for jockey Andrew McNamara at Gowran Park, in the process leaping to the head of the betting for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with an impressive jumping debut.
A Listed winner on the Flat when trained by John Oxx, the Kalanisi gelding opened his account at the first time of asking for Edward O'Grady in the Fancy A Festive Flutter 3-Y-0 Hurdle.
Leading two out, the 1-3 shot came home in tremendous style, winning by 15 lengths from Leblon
He is now favourite for the Triumph after being cut to 8-1 from 14-1 with Victor Chandler.
"We've done loads of schooling with him and Andrew said that paid off," said O'Grady.
"You never know what will happen the first time but I'm very pleased with him. He's not the finished article yet but it's onwards and upwards from here.
"He will run on St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown in the Bord Na Mona-sponsored juvenile hurdle."< Luska Lad (2-1) made all the running in the Chia Booster Novice Hurdle to make up for a disappointing run at Thurles.
He stayed on well under pressure to beat the favourite Gallant Light by four and a half lengths with his own stablemate Western Leader third.
"He was an unbelievable price. I was disappointed with him the last day but that was the only bad run of his life," said trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon.
"Andrew said he enjoyed being in front today. He'll go to Leopardstown at Christmas."< Cheeky trained by Margaret O'Sullivan, brought up McNamara's trio with victory in the Gowran Park Racing Club 2010 Maiden Hurdle.
McNamara went wide on the son of Presenting who was a definite leader after two out. From there he was holding all the aces as he went on to beat the gambled-on favourite Hughies Grey by nine lengths.
"He won a point-to-point last Sunday in Ballindenisk and I was a bit worried that he'd make a show of me here today running him so soon," said O'Sullivan.
"We think a lot of him, I'm not sure where he'll go next though. He got injured when he ran in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan so we b
