Golden Cross, Church Island and Mansony all advertised their Cheltenham credentials by taking the three Graded races on this informative seven race card.
Johnny Murtagh made a brief trip back from his stint in Dubai to record a hard-earned win aboard Golden Cross in the McCabe Builders Ltd Boyne Hurdle.
Florida Coast set a good pace in the 2m7f race, and had his four rivals in trouble with Murtagh sending out serious distress signals after three out.
However Michael Halford's dual-purpose gelding dug deep on the final climb and got on top in the closing stages to eclipse the Bowe family's front-runner by 1 1/2L.
'He didn't have any company for a lot of the way, and Johnny had to really wake him up. He'll be better in a more competitive race with more horses around him,' said Halford.
'He's answered the question about staying, and will go for the World Hurdle providing the ground is not too fast.'
He added, 'He's very easy on himself at home, and that's why I ran him in the AIG as he needed two races to get him right.' Cashmans and Sean Graham left his World Hurdle price unchanged at 8/1.
Cheltenham is also on the horizon for Church Island who booked his place in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase line-up with a convincing display in the ladbrokes.com Ten Up Novice Chase.
Andrew McNamara's mount travelled strongly to lead five out in this Grade 2 three miler, and came home on a tight rein to beat American Jennie by a facile six lengths.
'He was just not right since Christmas but is back in form now, and the SunAlliance is next,' said trainer Michael Hourigan.
Cashmans make him a 20/1 chance along with William Hill, while Sean Graham slashed his Cheltenham odds from 25/1 to 12/1.
Mansony got his season back on track when making all under Conor O'Dwyer in the Grade 2 ladbrokes.com Flyingbolt Novice Chase.
The six-runner two miles event proved an incident packed affair with Court Leader taking a heavy fall at the first, while Greenhall Rambler and Monjoyau both exited later on.
Mansony and Zum See had the race between them in the straight, and the Arthur Moore-trained gelding proved much the stronger from two out to eventually score by 25L.
'I was much happier with his jumping today. I am not ruling out the Arkle and will talk with the owners to see what we're going to do,' said Moore.
Barry Geraghty was sore after his fall from Court Leader, and has been stood down until Wednesday by Turf Club doctor Walter Halley.
Maralan (7/1-6/1) benefitted from a patient ride by Shane McGovern in the handicap hurdle, waiting until after the final hurdle before forging past Tipper Road to score by 2L.
Trainer Oliver Brady was in typically vocal form after the victory and, pointing at the betting ring, said, 'Do you see those boys with the umbrellas. They know all about me now.'
Wexford trainer Olivia Byrne saddled her first winner under rules when Twilight Trix made all under Denis O'Regan in the maiden hurdle, holding on by 3/4L from Secretofshambhala.
'This horse won a point-to-point first time out two years ago but then got injured. We knew he was good so we gave him plenty of time,' said a delighted Mrs Byrne.
Russian Buck (Robbie Moran) stayed on gamely from the last to beat How Is Things by 2L in the handicap chase, while Flowonlovelyriver was a runaway winner of the bumper.
Alan Magee
