Arvika Ligeonniere © Photo Healy Racing
< Arvika Ligeonniere did not have to engage top gear as he maintained his superb record at Punchestown by winning the Boylesports Free Wifi Coming To Our Shops Tied Cottage Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was sent off the 2-7 favourite to beat three opponents and tracked Special Tiara for most of the two-mile contest before jumping to the front in the hands of Ruby Walsh at the third-last.
There was no response from the opposition when he eased effortlessly clear between the final two fences and he was able to coast in with 14 lengths to spare over Toner D'Oudairies to make it five from five at the County Kildare track.
Mullins' Wicklow Brave booked his ticket for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham as he comprehensively beat the highly regarded Lieutenant Colonel in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
Walsh eased the 6-4 chance up to challenge the favourite going to the final flight and though he skewed over the obstacle, he soon picked up and went away to score impressively by four and a quarter lengths.
Conor O'Dwyer's Folsom Blue (7-1) has smart form over hurdles and scored over fences for the first time when he collared long-time leader Sole Witness going to the last in the Claim Your One Month Free Trial At racinguk.com Grand National Trial before winning by three and a half lengths under Bryan Cooper.
Noel Meade's 1-2 favourite Chancol looked full of running off the final bend in the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden Hurdle, but Paul Carberry ended up working harder than might have been expected to get him home by three-quarters of a length.
Course and distance winner Love Rory (2-1 favourite), ridden by Nina Carberry, picked up another prize for banks course specialist Enda Bolger when running on strongly to hold Big Shu by two and a quarter lengths in the Glenfarclas PP Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase
Jessie Harrington's Jetson (14-1) cut down Thunder And Roses on the run-in to take the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle qualifier by a length under Paddy Kennedy.
