Kymandjen will go in search of National glory in 2006 following an impressive return to action in the Wilf Dooly Chase at Tramore.
Paul Nolan's gelding has the Irish Grand National and the Aintree showpiece as possible targets this season.
A change of tactics worked well on the nine-year-old, in the Listed event, with John Cullen's mount coming from behind instead of taking up his usual front-running role.
He arrived to challenge at the second last and soon asserted, going clear before the final fence and coming home three lengths in front of Barrow Drive.
Nolan was represented by his brother James: 'It was his first run of the season, on very tiring ground. He is normally up with the pace but we dropped him in, to switch him off, and he didn't have a hard race.'
'He'll head for the Thyestes now and the Irish National is a long-term target. John is very keen to go to Aintree, as he's such an accurate jumper, and he'll be entered in the Grand National and the Topham Chase.'
Cullen completed a quick double when Macs Flamingo opened his account over fences in the Kent Bros Beginners Chase.
Pat Fahy's gelding jumped to the front at the second last and kept on well to hold the persistent challenge of Lissbonney Project by three-parts-of-a-length.
2006 started well for Wexford handler James Cousins, as he saddled his first winner when Twiststickorbuy ran out a fortunate winner of the James F Wallace Chartered Accountants & Business Consultants Maiden Hurdle.
Alan Donoghue's mount was left in the lead when Banna's fell two out and brought down Code Of Rules. He went on to beat Flame Six by two lengths.
Compo (4/5f) was well-backed in the Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase but could only finish third as Maristania ran out a convincing four-and-a-half-length winner.
Seamus Fahey admitted to being surprised after Fadie's Island (16/1) claimed the opening David Flynn Construction Novice Handicap Hurdle while You'vegotmerocking held the renewed challenge of front-runner Chelsea Harbour by a length to claim the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
Barry Geraghty and Michael O'Brien teamed up to record a double at Fairyhouse courtesy of Parliament Square and Loss Of Faith
Loss Of Faith (8/13f) gained a deserved victory over fences when getting home by a length from Some Legend in the Kilbride Beginners Chase.
Parliament Square (2/1f) had it easier in the opening New Year Maiden Hurdle; leading before the last and pulling away for a comfortable three-and-a-half-length victory over Jazz Messenger.
There was also a double for Willie Mullins with La Fisarmonica springing a 20/1 shock in the Hangover Maiden Hurdle and Irish Invader getting up close home to make a winning debut in the bumper.
Tony McCoy took over from the injured Paul Carberry on Dun Doire in the Dunboyne Handicap Chase and Tony Martin's gelding made it four-in-a-row when getting the better of Brave Eagle by two lengths.
Carberry missed another winner when Kilfinny Cross led on the line to claim the First Crack Handicap Hurdle under Kevin Coleman while Paul Nolan, successful with Kymandjen at Tramore, registered an across the card double when Lakil Princess claimed the Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle.
