It was a result no one in racing would begrudge as Roger Loughran, reunited with Central House, landed the Grade 2 Bryne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown today.
Returning on his first ride back from a 14 race day ban, Loughran gave the winner a cracking ride, making all to help erase memories of Leopardstown over Christmas and earn a general 8/1 quote for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Despite being backed, Central House was allowed to start at 11/4 but easily turned around a disappointing effort at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago.
Elsewhere on the card, trainer Noel Meade suffered a big reversal in the Grade 2 Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle.
His 10/11 favourite Iktitaf finished second to Mounthenry but was later was reported to have received a bad cut which will prematurely end the gelding's season.
Mounthenry, meanwhile, made most of the running to win and was continuing a fine run for trainer Charles Byrnes and rider Andrew McNamara,
Bynres was at Limerick but mentioned 'Mounthenry is not entered at Cheltenham but will instead go for a race at Thurles in a few weeks time.'
McNamara later recorded a double, on Just for trainer Michael Hourigan, in the Eadestown GAA Club Handicap Chase.
The A Space Cabins Grand National Trial Handicap Chase saw father-son combination of Tommy and Philip Carberry win with Kings Glen.
16/1 shot Kings Glen raced prominently throughout before leading on the run-in, for a length win over Shivermetimer.
Arthur Moore's Well Mounted was the well backed winner of the Gallagher Group Ltd Maiden Hurdle while the opening Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Handicap Hurdle went to Tom Taaffe's Dead Sound.
At Limerick, trainer Eric McNamara recorded his 17th winner in Ireland (along with six in Britain and one in France) this season, when recording a double.
Ponmeoath landed the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle under Brian Byrnes while Practise Match was an impressive winner of the Coffey Construction Beginners Chase under Conor O'Dwyer.
Afterwards McNamara reported 'Ponmeoath jumped far better today than when winning at Thurles last time but I have no plans from here; our change in tactics were correct today.'
Regarding Practise Match he reported 'there is a nice race in this horse but we'll either go for a winners' race or handicap next.'
Trainer John Brassil and jockey Davy Russell also recorded a near 34/1 double opening with The Bosses Nephew in the Coffey Construction Maiden Hurdle before doubling up with Tradaree Beau in the Newton Abbot Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.
