Jim stayed on strongly in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner of the Gardiner & Theobald Handicap Chase in testing conditions at Galway yesterday.
Robert Power was at work on his mount from the second last but he responded well and asserted after the final fence.
The 12/1 outsider pulled right away in the straight and was a comfortable six-length winner at the line from Hi Cloy, with Central House back in third.
'I'm pleasantly surprised as I thought he might need the run. He jumped very well,' said winning trainer Jim Dreaper afterwards.
Southern Vic (5/4f) was well fancied to make a winning debut over fences in the WB Gavin & Co EBF Beginners Chase but was made to work hard for his victory.
He inherited the lead after the fall of Father Matt at the last but came under pressure entering the straight and Ruby Walsh had to get serious with him to hold the challenge of Slim Pickings by half a length.
'He's a nice staying chaser and hopefully if he stays sound he should win a nice prize somewhere this season,' said trainer Ted Walsh.
Vic Venturi looked a hurdler to follow when accounting for Alpha Royale on his debut over timber in the Diamond Vision Novice Hurdle.
Barry Geraghty sent the Old Vic gelding to the front at the second last and he kept pulling out enough in the straight to hold the challenge of the favourite by half a length.
The winner had already scored in a point-to-point and trainer Philip Fenton described him as a 'nice chaser for the future'.
Up Above also looked a nice prospect when proving much too good for his rivals in the opening Connacht Court Maiden Hurdle.
The gelding produced a fine front-running performance under Andrew Lynch and had his rivals in trouble before the second last. He came home a comfortable 12-length winner over Inch Island.
'I think he is better left-handed. We'll stay the novice route with him and I think he is a nice horse,' said winning trainer Shane Donohoe.
Thomond O'Mara was full of praise for Willie Slattery after he got Vintage Port up by a head in the John Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle while Pearly Jack could go for the November Handicap at Leopardstown following an easy nine-length success in the Sword Event Guard International (QR) Race.
