Martin Brassil's Nickname, under Ruby Walsh, ran out the impressive winner of the featured Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse today.
The French bred gelding was held up in touch before progressing through to lead at the second last, staying on well for an easy 15 length win over Justified.
Afterwards Brassil reported 'I'm thrilled with that and he really loves heavy ground. Ruby was very impressed with him and he was very relaxed today.'
He added 'I'll be tempted to go to for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham if the ground is soft but he'll go to Punchestown in a few weeks for the Tied Cottage Chase.'
The impressive win saw Boylesports Bookmakers cut Nickname's Champion Chase price 10/1 from 16/1.
Dusty Sheehy, trainer of the runner-up Justified, reported 'I'm happy enough with his run which was his first run back after his back injury. He'll go for the Red Mills Chase at Gowran in a few weeks time.'
Black Harry earned a quote of 25/1 with BoyleSports Bookmakers for the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham following his impressive distance win in the Mulhuddart Novice Hurdle.
The son of Flemenisfirth raced prominently throughout, eventually drawing clear of only serious challenger Offaly from the second last, to score an easy win under Ruby Walsh.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'Black Harry is only now coming to himself and will now go for either of the long distance novice hurdles at Cheltenham once there is a cut in the ground.'
He added 'he was immature last year and has the size, scope and pedigree to make a nice chaser in time.'
The Mullins-Walsh combination later completed a double when Alexander Taipan justified 4/7 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
The opening maiden hurdle went to Tom Taaffe's Good Thing, under Barry Geraghty while Sean Flanagan partnered his first winner as a professional when winning on Dusty Sheehy's Merry Cowboy in the Kilbride Handicap Hurdle.
Tony Mullins' Aranleigh caused a 10/1 upset when winning the concluding bumper, defeating his brother Willie Mullins' 4/7 favourite Mad Fish into second place.
At Cork, Michael Grassick's Moore's Law ran out the easy winner of the opening Blackwater Hurdle.
The 7/4 favourite was without a recent run but eased to the front at the second last flight, eventually winning by a four and a half lengths from Drummer First.
Grassick was absent but his son, and namesake, reported 'he was entitled to win that and will go for a nice handicap next. He has been 'on the go' since his last run but we didn't want to run him in the busy 30 runner Pierce Hurdle.'
He added 'Moore's Law is on of only a few jumpers we have in training at the moment.'
Noel Meade's Academy Reward later provided O'Regan with a double, when defeating Ebaziyan by a short head in the Millstreet Maiden Hurdle.
Even money favourite Grangeclare Lark failed to complete a five-timer in the Rathduff Mares Novice Hurdle, eventually finishing sixth behind Mags Mullins' Chomba Womba.
Ridden by Mike Darcy, Chomba Womba led and disputed throughout, and although headed by eventual runner-up Midnight Gift at the third last, rallied to lead before the final flight, eventually staying on well for a three length win.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'she was brilliant there and is improving all the time. All her jockeys say she will be better over fences but I'll stick to hurdles with her this season. I have no real plan from here but she could go to either Fairyhouse or Liverpool later in the season.'
Jockey Billie Lee substituted for the injured Tony McCoy (stiff neck) on Tommy Stack's Dante Hall, winner of the Mitchelstown Handicap Hurdle.
Stack was absent but was represented by his son Fozzy who mentioned 'Dante Hall will now go for a three mile novice handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse next month.'
Philip Rothwell's Stoneraker landed the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, a sixth winner for 20 year old jockey Shane Jackson.
Austin Leahy's Humber Valley landed the concluding bumper under a strong drive from Brian Carey.
Thomas Weekes
