All eyes were on Moscow Flyer at Punchestown today where Jessica Harrington's star chaser landed the Grade3 Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase in workmanlike fashion.
Moscow Flyer made all and jumped well throughout but needed to be ridden out from the last by Barry Geraghty to see off the challenge of outsider Steel Band by two and a half lengths.
The win was Moscow Flyer's 24th career win and the 11yo is now unbeaten on all his 17 completions over fences.
After wards a delighted Harrington stated 'he jumped brilliantly today but he definitely needed the run.'
She added 'Barry said he will never far when he makes the running and it is now all systems go for Cheltenham.'
The market for the Queen Mother Champion Chase is unchanged with Cashmans Bookmakers who go 6/4 Moscow Flyer, 7/4 Azertioup, 3/1 Well Chief and 33/1 bar.
Geraghty completed a double half an hour later on his father Tucker's What Odds in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
Justified justified trainer Dusty Sheehy's decision to bypass racing the horse over Christmas in favour of today's Grade 2 Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle.
Ridden by Mick Fitzgerald, the son of Leading Counsel drew clear after three out, eventually maintaining the strong gallop all the way to the line, proving far too good for useful yardsticks Blazing Liss and Man About Town.
Sheehy, who landed last year's race with Kahuna, later mentioned that the winner will 'go straight to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.'
Trainer Michael O'Brien continues to maintain an impressive strike rate with his horses and trained In Compliance to win the Fighting Blindness Maiden Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.
Trainer Jessica Harrington was later to complete an across-the-card treble, with two further winners at Tramore. Both winners, Green Belt Flyer and I'll Call You Back, were ridden by the Harrington's capable stable jockey, Robert Power.
Green Belt Flyer claimed the opening Saltan Properties Beginners' Chase while Power steered I'll Call You Back to an easy win in the Saltan Properties INH Satllion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
Gerry Cully's Rog, previously successful in three point to points, claimed his first win on the track, scoring an easy win in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase under the capable Tom Ryan.
Named after Ronan O'Gara, Munster and Irish International rugby player, Rog was described by Cully as 'a horse who will be a fair performer over extreme distances.'
Dermot Weld combined with David Evans to score a rare success at the Co Waterford track, with easy to back 11/4 favourite Ease The Way in the Saltan Properties Maiden Hurdle.
Jockey Nina Carberry is no stranger to the winner's enclosure and landed the lady riders' handicap hurdle on Marian Flavin's Chicago Vic.
