Champagne Fever (Ruby Walsh) is fluent at another one at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
< Champagne Fever set out on his new career over fences with an imperious victory in the Connexus Communications Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
Already a strong favourite for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival going into the race, the Willie Mullins-trained grey looked an exciting prospect as he dominated from the front in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
The 4-7 favourite wasn't foot-perfect at every fence, but he had decent rivals on the stretch from some way out before beating the staying-on Corbally Ghost by four lengths.
The victory completed a treble for Mullins and Walsh, who were also on the mark when Grade One winner Glens Melody (8-13 favourite) returned to action with a facile success in the Punchestown Annual Membership From 95 Euro Hurdle.
The mare's task was made easier as main rival King Shabra barely turned up, and Walsh was able to slip into a commanding lead between the last two flights before easing to victory by three and three-quarter lengths.
The stable looks to have another smart French recruit in Analifet (1-3 favourite) after her impressive victory in the Ballymore GAA Christmas Fair & Family Fun Day 3-Y-O Hurdle. She had the rest of the field well cooked by the home turn before coasting to a nine-length victory.
It wasn't all plain sailing as Mullins' Sure Reef unshipped Walsh at the first in the www.punchestown.com Maiden Hurdle won by Oscar's Passion (16-1), and the stable's odds-on bumper favourite Bosman Rule was beaten by Mr Boss Man (14-1).
There was a thrilling finish to the Crystal Cup Trial Risk Of Thunder Chase over the banks course and it went to Enda Bolger's 12-1 shot Love Rory who collared favourite Sizing Australia to score by a head under Adrian Heskin.
Mouse Morris's 33-1 shot Tinakellylad built up a huge lead under Martin Ferris in the 10 Euro Admission Handicap Chase and ran on stoutly to beat Los Amigos by three and a quarter lengths.
