The Tom Mullins-trained Grand Partner booked his ticket to Cheltenham when running out a convincing winner of the 1888 Restaurant Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The 14/1 shot made little impression on his return to action at the track last month but showed the benefit of that run today.

Danny Mullins drove his mount into the lead going to the final flight and he stayed on well in the closing stages to record a length-and-three-quarter victory over Joshua Lane

“He was off the track for so long and that’s maybe why he didn’t run so well the last day. It made him a bit fitter,” said the winning handler.

“Considering he beat Swamp Fox in a Flat maiden here last July he has the ability to win a race like that and he did.

“After he won that race he needed a long lay-off as he went wrong and we couldn’t get him back any quicker than we did.

“If he had disappointed today I was going to go novice chasing but we could look at the Coral Hurdle now as he’d be in a the right weight.

“If all is well he’ll probably go to Cheltenham. We could also look at the County and the Martin Pipe for him.”