Wicklow Brave jumps the last in front of Lieutenant Colonel © Photo Healy Racing
Wicklow Brave made it two from two over hurdles as he made light of his rivals in the Listed I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
Having opened the 11/10 favourite with Paddy Powers last night, the Willie Mullins trained five-year-old son of Beat Hollow started on-course at 11/8 before going off the 6/4 second favourite.
The money came for Lieutenant Colonel for Dessie Hughes and Bryan Cooper, with the son of Kayf Tara going from 11/8 to 5/4 favourite on-course, having opened at 13/8 last night with Paddy Power.
The winner, who was ridden by Ruby Walsh, was held up for much of the contest, and raced mainly in fourth, before he took closer order in third as they entered the straight.
He hit the front and travelled best before the last, and despite making a mistake there, he kept on well on the run-in to score convincingly by four and a quarter lengths.
Lieutenant Colonel, who lead after after the second last, had no answer when passed by the winner, and he had to settle for second, while the front-running Real Steel was a further four and a half-lengths back in third.
Willie Mullins said afterwards: "At least that puts the worries I had about him handling the ground the to bed.
"At the moment it looks like he will go for the Supreme Novices'. He pulled very hard and he got to the front way too soon."
Wicklow Brave is now a 16/1 chance (from 33's) with Paddy Powers for the Cheltenham Festival opener.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
