Zardsky jumps a fence under Damien Murphy early on in the race© Photo Healy Racing
Zardsky, the youngest horse in the race at just six, took the John McCarthy Memorial Hunters Chase in good style for his trainer Tom Nagle with Kevin Power in the saddle.
The son of Wizard King was having just his second start on the racecourse proper having finished second to Boxer Georg in a Hunters Chase at Clonmel earlier this month.
Before that he had run in six point-to-point's, winning just one at Dungarvan last month.
One eye-catching piece of form 'between the flags' was his second to Betterthanalright at Dromahane in October of last year. That fellow has since won twice on the track for his trainer Liam Casey.
The winner, who is a full-brother to Seaside Shuffle and a half-brother to Bundle Of Fun, raced prominently throughout.
He took up the lead before the straight and went clear before the second last. He stayed on well from there to score by a comfortable four and a half lengths from the staying on Agus A Vic back in second at the odds of 6/1 under Jason McKeown.
Mattock Ranger finished a further two lengths back in third under Nina Carberry at the 14/1 while the 7/4 favourite Rudi Trucker under Damien Murphy finish a disappointing seventh.
Winning trainer Tom Nagle, who was recording his second winner of the week after The Bishop Looney scored at Punchestown on Wednesday, said afterwards: "He did it well and is a fantastic jumper, although I'd say the other horses have probably seen better days.
"We will probably keep him to Hunter Chases now and his is such a good jumper we might go to Aintree with him."
Bookmaker Stan James have introduced the winner at 16/1 for the Foxhunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
