Paul Carberry warmed up for his enviable book of Cheltenham rides with a double at Naas yesterday, the second of which gave him nothing but encouragement for Cardinal Hill's chance tomorrow.

Greenstead gave Carberry, scoring for the second time since returning from a rib injury, an armchair ride in the Kinnegad Novice Hurdle and provoked a wide grin from trainer Noel Meade.

"This horse worked with Cardinal Hill at Leopardstown last Monday and afterwards we were wondering if the work was right," Meade said. "Greenstead went very well but the other fellah just went whoosh!"

Meade added: "We were thinking about the County Hurdle for Greenstead but I just thought he might lack a little experience. Unfortunately I took him out of the race but it's probably just as well. We'll wait for Fairyhouse and Punchestown."

Carberry had to work harder in the opening maiden hurdle on SiteLeader, but the mare battled on well from the last to account for the favourite, The Gatherer. Her trainer, Paul Nolan, expects to run his stayer Nibalda in the Stakis Casino's race at Cheltenham tomorrow, with Conor O'Dwyer on board.

Arthur Moore described the Moate Handicap Chase as "the most extraordinary race I've ever seen in my life" after his charge Livin' It Up came from nowhere to land the spoils.

The frustrating Finchpalm looked all over the winner on touching down over the last but he then began to stop in front and gave the minimum of assistance to his rider, Fran Flood.

Nevertheless, Finchpalm still led 50 yards from the line when the field closed right up. Livin' It Up had been only fourth at the last but he proved a willing partner for Conor O'Dwyer and swept through to beat Dos Deegan, with the winner's stable companion, Fiscal Gale, in third. Remarkably, Finchpalm finished only fifth.

"I told Conor to ride a waiting race!" quipped Moore, who added: "On the turn in I thought we were going to be sixth and seventh."

One thing guaranteed with Limestone Lad is resolution, and James Bowe's remarkable horse won his sixth handicap since November when easily scoring under Kieran Kelly yesterday.

The success was the ninth in the career of the seven-year-old, his third at Naas and his prizemoney total now stands at over £56,000 from 22 starts.

"He's a relentless galloper who just keeps improving. He's some horse," admired Co Kilkenny-based Bowe. "He doesn't like a lead, does it all on his own and he loves an uphill finish."

Co Cavan trainer Shane Donohoe will have his first festival runner when Shantarini goes in Thursday's County Hurdle and warmed up with Oneofourown, who took advantage of Liscahill Fort's fall at the fifth last to beat off Brambledale and the favourite, Tartooth, in the novice chase.

Champagne Native was a first success for the 23-year-old amateur Jeremy Cash in the bumper, but the favourite in the Johnstown Hurdle, Gentle Mossy, couldn't cope with the late run of Mariners Reef.