Eric McNamara claimed the Punchestown Juvenile Hurdle for the second year running as Marhaba Million opened his hurdling account in the Grade 3 event.
The Linamix gelding proved too strong for Dreux in the closing stages of the two mile contest as he registered a three-parts-of-a-length victory under Brian Byrnes.
The pair had battled it out from the second last with Marhaba Million finding more from the final flight. Well-backed favourite Artist's Muse (9/4 to 6/4) was only fifth.
'He's a lovely horse and I feel he'll stay two-and-a-half miles, which was a big plus today as he outstayed the second horse,' said McNamara.
'He'll go for the juvenile race on Hennessy day at Leopardstown (Feb 12th) but I don't know if he will be able to beat Willie Mullins' horse (Mister Hight).'
McNamara won the race last season with Strangely Brown, who went on to Grade 1 glory in the Prix Alain du Briel at Auteuil, and the Limerick trainer believes that the winner is also good enough to go for that race.
Marhaba Million will also be entered in the Triumph Hurdle and the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Your Sir also looks a horse with a bright future following an impressive hurdling debut in the first division of the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
The Taipan gelding looked another star in the making for the Bowe family as he employed the yard's customary front-running tactics to coast to an easy 12-length victory.
The second division was claimed by 1/1f Clew Bay Cove under a confident ride from Conor O'Dwyer.
Colm Murphy's gelding hit the front after the third last and only had to be briefly shaken up before the final flight to see off the challenge of Shanghide by a cosy two-length margin.
The opening Tattersalls Ireland Hurdle produced a great finish with Ceeawayhome getting the better of long-time leader Justpourit, close home, to score by two lengths.
Reinedoff was an impressive winner of the Comhairle Laighean CLG Handicap Hurdle, skipping clear form the second last for a 13-length success.
Guilt outbattled Forest Leader in the closing stages to claim the Access Computer Consulting plc. Handicap Chase. Davy Russell was stood down for the day following a crashing fall from Murrayfield in the race.
Ivan De Vonnas kept on gamely to repel the late challenge of Natural Storm by a head in a stirring finish to the Kilteel Beginners Chase.
Nina Carberry and Noel Meade teamed up to claim yet another bumper when Rock On Tom landed the Club Fundraising At Punchestown (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
