Aime Desjy was absolutely all the rage for Gowran's beginners' chase and the money was well founded as he glided home for an easy victory.

From 8/11 in morning trading, he was backed down to 2/7 favourite to deliver in this 2m4f assignment. Duffle Coat and Aime Desjy mixed it up front and the former was more than game in hanging in there with the short-priced favourite.

However, Paul Townend clearly had more horse under him and he didn't have to get serious on Aime Desjy who was nuged along to scoot clear on the run-in.

He breezed home by eight lengths from the 17/2 runner-up who was relatively friendless in the market.

Willie Mullins said: “He jumped a lot better today and he seems to like this game better than hurdling.

“He goes on that ground and I think he’ll go on better ground as we get into the spring.

“We’ll probably look for something in Fairyhouse.”

On Cheltenham, he added: "The first load of horses have left for Cheltenham and the last ones were on the gallop this morning. All the work is done now and we’ll see how the ball bounces now for the rest of the week.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee