The 10-year-old scored readily in the hands of Andrew McNamara after looking to be in trouble at the third last, and a delighted Hourigan said "He was getting a bit cute on our own gallop, so I decided to bring him away for the day and it has done the trick. It's all systems go now for the Lexus Chase."

Colm Murphy is another trainer who is looking forward to Leopardstown, and he saddled Wickford for a comfortable four length win under amateur Donie Fahy in the Curragha Maiden Hurdle. The 13/8 favourite is a successful graduate of the point-to-point field and his trainer commented "He's a big galloper, and the further he goes the better he'll be".

Jockey Davy Russell, who took a heavy fall from Modular in the Stamullen Beginners Chase won by the Paul Nolan-trained McEvoy later in the afternoon, advised Murphy to step Wickford up in trip after finishing sixth on him behind Jonnie Dillinger at the same venue two weeks ago. Russell's colleague Ken Whelan deputised for him on Slyguff Rory in the next race, but lost by a head to the Dessie Hughestrained Mr Fitzer at 25/1.