Fiveforthree may bid to enhance Willie Mullins' great record in the Weatherbys Festival Bumper at Cheltenham next month following an impressive debut victory.
The Arzanni gelding travelled well for Katie Walsh and settled the issue by quickening clear inside the final quarter mile to beat I Hear A Symphony by 7L.
'He won a schooling bumper at Thurles and has really improved over the last few weeks. He looks a smart sort,' said a delighted Mullins.
Cashmans reacted by introducing him at 14/1 for Cheltenham, while Boylesports were even more impressed and quoted the grey at 8/1.
Mullins also has a high opinion of Mad Fish, who is entered at Fairyhouse on Saturday but unlikely to run due to the prospect of testing ground.
Wins Now added to his growing reputation by completed a hat-trick with a stylish success in the two miles novice hurdle for 'Boots' and 'Slippers' Madden.
The J P McManus-owned gelding was sent off the well-backed 2/1 favourite, and quickened up nicely before the last under a confident ride to beat Montana Bay by two and a half lengths.
'He has an entry in the Supreme Novices Hurdle but we'll see as there's piles of races here for him. He handles heavy ground well but Niall said the ground was a bit dead for him,' said Madden senior.
He added, 'He's smart and is a big horse (17 hands) who will make a lovely chaser next year.' Cashmans make him 33/1 for the Cheltenham Festival opener.
Druids Castle is a possible for the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle after he justified good support (7/2-5/2) under Barry Geraghty in the opening two and a half miles conditions hurdle.
The six-year-old son of Oscar jumped to the front four out, and kept on well to beat Powerstation by three quarters of a length.
'We'll see how he comes out of this but the owners live in England and would probably like him to run over there. He's in the Ballymore Properties and will go chasing next year,' said trainer Joe Crowley.
Wheresben has proved a great servant for trainer Seamus Fahey and his son James, who has now partnered the gelding to all five of his career wins (3 hurdles/2 bumpers).
The eight-year-old gelding led entering the straight in the two and a half miles rated hurdle, and held on by a diminishing half length from Baron De Feypo.
'He dosen't like being in front too long but James said he was travelling that well he had to go on. He'll probably go over fences on his next run,' said the successful trainer.
Knocknabooly, a promising bumper winner before being sidelined for over two years with 'leg trouble', rewarded the patience of connections with an easy win in division one of the maiden hurdle.
Davy Condon's mount stretched clear before the final flight to beat reserve Kilcrea Asla by 8L, and the main objective this season is a return here for the Festival meeting in April.
Favourite backers were also on target in division two where Donie Fahy (20) partnered his first winner as a professional, adding to 11 in the amateur ranks, aboard Barcardero.
The Danzig gelding was full of running but a mistake at the last meant Fahy needed to get serious on the run-in to just touch off Step Outside by a short-head.
'He would have been unlucky if he was beaten and we'll put him away now and wait for some nice ground. Hopefully he'll be back here for the Festival,' said trainer Colm Murphy.
'His jumping was very poor when he started off but is improving and he'll mix hurdles with the Flat over the summer,' added Murphy.
Alan Magee
