A half-brother to the 1995 Irish St Leger hero, Strategic Choice, Studmaster was bought for 7,500 guineas at Newmarket Autumn Sales in 2003 and he gave his connections the thrill of a lifetime today.
Always to the fore under Tommy Treacy in the Pierse Hurdle, the 12/1 shot led from two out and was clear from before the last to beat the staying-on, No Where To Hyde by 2 1/2L.
Owned by the Mothership Racing Club, a group of prison wardens from Mountjoy Jail, this success was a welcome return to form for the Jessica Harrington yard.
The Moone outfit have been without a winner since Green Belt Flyer won late in October and Mrs Harrington said, 'this is great, it's a long time since we had a winner.
'He stays well and loves that ground. It is probably a good thing that he didn't win at Christmas (finished 2nd to Escrea and remained on the same mark. Escrea was 6th here).'
Tommy Treacy expressed his thanks to Jessica Harrington in the aftermath and to Eamonn Leigh and all the team at home for producing the horse in top form.
'He is an exceptional jumper, God only knows how far he will go,' was Martin Brassil's reaction to the brilliant performance of his Nickname in the novice chase.
Soon in front under Conor O'Dwyer, 'he was just carting me,' the evens favourite galloped and jumped his rivals into the ground to beat Father Matt by 11L.
'A lot would depend on the ground' was O'Dwyer's view on future plans whilst Martin Brassil said 'I wouldn't go to Cheltenham if there isn't cut in the ground.'
Brassil continued, 'he will run next in the Dr P J Moriarty on Hennessy Day (February 12th) over the course and distance.'
Sporting the colours of Mrs Claudia Jungo-Corpataux (also those of the Jim Bolger-trained Good Surprise), Nickname has got quotes for both novice events at Cheltenham.
He is a best priced 12/1 with Sean Graham for the Arkle Chase and he can be backed at the same odds with Cashmans for the SunAlliance Chase.
The one punters wanted in the betting shops in the morning, What A Native ended up an unlikely 4/1 market-leader for the Pierse Leopardstown Chase.
That support in the betting proved correct as the Charlie Swan-trained bottom-weight stayed on dourly to defeat the easy-to-back Ross River by 1L.
David Casey, man on his back said, 'he is a super little horse because he has broken down twice and he has now won four in a row. He loved the ground, the softer it is the better he is.'
Back To Bid was expected to have a simple task in the opener with the defection of Majlis (lame), but the 4/11 favourite could find no extra under pressure from before the final flight.
Night Bridge, a 4yo getting all the allowances, under Robbie Power for John Murphy, led before the last and stayed on well to account for Openide by 4 1/2L.
Rated 77 when last competing on the level, this son of Quws was breaking his duck on the track at the 10th attempt but he had his supporters here, returned at 11/2 after touching 13/2.
Having his second start for Dessie Hughes, Supreme Justice landed a gamble under Paddy Flood in the 2m h'cap hurdle.
The former point-to-point winner has been an injury prone-sort but the lightly-raced 10yo was backed from 33/1 into 14/1 and he came home a tired but convincing 6L to the good.
Timmy Murphy, out of luck on Pierse Hurdle favourite, Victram (always behind and pulled up before the last), got Patsy Hall up on the line in the 3m h'cap hurdle.
Michael Cunningham's son of the talented race mare, Clahada Rose, is a most consistent type, denying Ballintra Boy in this Cheltenham qualifier by a head.
The concluding bumper went to Perce Rock under Karl Wyse for Tommy Stack. Last March the same combination registered a win with Wanango in a similar event.
