Cheltenham is on the cards for Bahrain Storm after an impressive victory at Limerick on Thursday.
Pat Flynn's charge opened his hurdling account in great style when claiming the Tote Placepot Rollover Today of 3,030 Maiden Hurdle.
The gelding moved sweetly into the lead approaching the second last and soon put daylight between himself and 8/15f Alabama Banjo.
Davy Russell kept him going to the line for a 15-length success and Flynn stated afterwards that The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle is next on the agenda.
It's a bit of a surprise because he disappointed last time and was off form, said Flynn.
When he last run he showed no life and I decided to give him a break and bring him back lovely and fresh. The reason I ran today instead of Saturday is because he's in the Fred Winter and I wanted the extra few days to freshen him up for that.
The second maiden hurdle also witnessed a stylish performance from Paul Nolan's filly Moskova.
The daughter of Montjeu jumped up to challenge two out and soon sprinted away from her rivals to score by ten lengths.
She's a very very good filly and Robbie (Moran) said she's as good as he's rode, said the trainer's brother James.
I didn't think she'd be strong enough in that ground. She's a half-sister to Lakil Princess, who was also weak at that stage. She will improve a lot from that and will maybe go to Fairyhouse and then on to Punchestown.
Ronnie O'Leary ended a long wait for a winner when Sundeck ran out a cosy winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
The Killaloe handler last visited the winners' enclosure when the same gelding won over hurdles at Sligo in August 2005.
He won a couple of hurdles but lost his way a bit over fences. We tried him in blinkers today, said O'Leary. The moral of the story is don't give up!
The winner was owned by Gerry McManus, brother of race sponsor JP.
Kilpedder and An Fear Doiteain had it between them throughout in the Patrickswell Maiden Hurdle with the later finding more in the straight, under Ruby Walsh, to score by six lengths.
John Cullen, who had ridden the runner-up, got his revenge on Walsh when Preists Leap jumped to the lead at the last in the beginners chase to score by four-and-a-half lengths from For A Song.
25/1 shot Symboli Bay battled well to see off all challengers down the straight when claiming the Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer John Joseph Murphy was full of praise for groom Jenny Murphy, who had nursed the gelding back to health after he had broken down on two legs back in 2003.
