American Jennie could be set for a tilt at the Irish Grand National following a stylish success in the Bank Of Ireland EBF Mares Novice Chase at Limerick.
Trainer Michael Cullen revealed that the Fairyhouse showpiece was an option after the eight-year-old took the Grade 3 event by 15 lengths.
Davy Russell sent the 5/4f straight into the lead and she had her rivals in trouble before the turn for home. Russell only had to use 'hands and heels' to send his mount clear of Sunami Storm.
'We'll have a look at the Irish National and if she doesn't go there she may run in the three mile (betfair.com) novice handicap chase at Punchestown. She jumps great and is going the right way,' said Cullen.
Celestial Wave also made all in the opening Dawn Omega Milk EBF Mares Novice Hurdle but had to work hard to justify her short price.
The 1/2f looked in trouble when Mise En Place and Josphine Cullen loomed large on the turn-in but found plenty under pressure, for Nina Carberry, and kept on strongly to get the better of Josephine Cullen by two lengths.
'She might go for a two-and-a-half mile race at Fairyhouse as long as the ground is safe,' said winning trainer Adrian Maguire.
'She's a good mare to be able to come back to two miles as she already wants every bit of two-and-a-half. The aim next year will be long distance hurdles.'
Odds-on backers were also made to sweat in the Robert Butler Developments Maiden Hurdle as On Reflection made hard work of things.
Paddy Flood was at work on the 1/2f with half a mile to go and drove him into the lead turning for home. The Edward O'Grady-trained gelding kept on to score by six lengths from Im A Witness.
Flood aggravated an ankle injury in the process and stood himself down for the rest of the day.
Owner JP McManus went on to record a double when The Arthur Moore-trained Julius ran out an easy winner 20-length of the Signsplus Handicap Chase under Denis O'Regan.
The third odds-on shot of the day had a much easier time as Royal County Star (4/6f) cruised to victory in the Newcastle West Volkeswagon Autos Handicap Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh arrived with a 'double handful' turning for home and despite a mistake at the last the Tony Martin-trained gelding was hard held to score by four-and-a-half lengths from Lagudin.
The biggest winning margin of the day was recorded by Final Act, who powered clear in the closing stages of the Mullins Electrical Beginners Chase to beat Vic Ville by 25 lengths.
Breidin was the star of the show at Downpatrick when running out a facile 20-length winner of the second division of the Toals Dial A Bet Novice Handicap Hurdle.
The first division was claimed by Axinit, who made all, and survived a mistake two out, to also record an easy eight-length victory.
Santa's Son had earlier been a game winner of the second division of the Visit www.toals.co.uk Handicap Hurdle while the first division had seen Odarshaan finish strongly to claim the spoils.
