Florida Pearl confirmed his position at the head of the Cheltenham Gold Cup market with a convincing victory in the inaugural running of the John Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase in front of a near capacity crowd of 10,000 on Saturday.
The £100,000 event lived up to expectations - despite the late withdrawal of English raider Strong Promise due to the soft ground - with Dorans Pride, Florida Pearl and the pace-setting Ferbet Junior all in the air together at the third last.
But the front-running grey could find no extra and, with Dorans Pride stumbling on landing at that fence, the way was left clear for the Willie Mullins-trained gelding to justify 11 to 10 favouritism.
Paul Carberry's mount, who was always travelling well in the testing ground, kept on well under hands and heels for a comfortable, two-and-a-half length verdict over Dorans Pride, with Ferbet Junior 12 lengths further back in third.
Sean Graham reacted by cutting his Gold Cup odds from 10 to 1 to 13 to 2.
A delighted and relieved Willie Mullins said: "He did everything well today. He jumped well, and Paul said he had no trouble staying the trip."
"He is back in with a shout," was Mullins' reaction to his Cheltenham prospects, while he also mapped out the seven-year-old's intended campaign for the remainder of the season.
"He will go next for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on December 5th. The plan is then to take in the `Ericsson' and `Hennessy' at Leopardstown before having another crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup."
Jessica Harrington was pleased with the performance of Ferbet Junior, and she had further cause for celebration with the runaway victory of Moscow Flyer in the Tattersalls Hurdle.
Greenstead was sent off 3 to 1 on in this four-runner affair, but was made to look very pedestrian as Moscow Flyer stretched clear from three out to score by 15 lengths.
"He is a fantastic jumper, and will probably go now for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse," said Mrs Harrington.
Myheartisbroken, a wide-margin bumper winner at Limerick on St Patrick's Day, maintained his unbeaten record under Charlie Swan in the opening A Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd Maiden Hurdle.
Swan later completed a double aboard Beal Na Blath in the 20-runner Eastwood Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle. The Pat Hughes-trained mare, who cruised to the front three out, appeared to have plenty in reserve at the line where she finished three lengths clear of Super Aisling.
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