Last season's Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Alexander Banquet remains unbeaten following a successful transition to jumping at Fairyhouse yesterday afternoon.

Always prominent in the hands of Ruby Walsh, the 4 to 7 favourite overcame an untidy jump three out to assert his superiority in the home straight over his only real market rival Roses Of Picardy.

Trainer Willie Mullins expressed himself satisfied with the performance of the Glacial Storm gelding, remarking: "He will improve fitness-wise and in his jumping for that. We may bring him back here later in the month for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle but we won't be making our mind up what is his ideal trip just yet."

Paul Carberry briefly seized the initiative approaching the final turn after the winner's untidy leap, but Roses Of Picardy was out-jumped at the second last and comprehensively outstayed from that point by Walsh's mount.

However, it didn't take Carberry long to improve on that effort, as he gave Inis Cara a patient and polished ride to land the Mulhuddart EBF Novice Chase for Michael Hourigan's stable.

Foxchapel King looked the likely winner - despite a bad mistake at the seventh fence - when sent to the front by Conor O'Dwyer between the final two fences only to undo his good work by swerving left in mid-air at the last.

Carberry completed a chase double when Heather Ville caught Miss Orchestra on the run-in in the Donaghmore Handicap Chase.

Senor El Betrutti must put up one of the best weight-carrying performances in the race's history to repeat last year's victory in the Murphy's Gold Cup. He was yesterday awarded joint top-weight of 12st in the first big handicap chase of the season at Cheltenham