Cardinal Hill duly did what a 4 to 11 favourite is expected to do when easily winning the Jameson Gold Cup and renewed Noel Meade's frustration as to what might have happened had the gelding stood up at Cheltenham.
The JP McManus-owned horse unseated Paul Carberry at the second last in the Supreme Novices Hurdle when chasing Hors La Loi and Meade had not given up hope when disaster struck.
"I don't subscribe to the theory that he was beaten. There was half a mile to go and we were only two lengths behind. Nobody can say for certain what would have happened," Meade said.
There were no question marks yesterday as Cardinal Hill was never under pressure to overhaul the pace-setting Native Upmanship in the straight. Punchestown is a possible next stop for him and while nothing is decided yet, Cardinal Hill is likely to remain over hurdles next season.
Balla Sola also bounced successfully back from Cheltenham when the Triumph Hurdle runner-up easily took the opener and set himself up for a raid on the Punchestown festival.
"Considering he didn't eat well when he was at Cheltenham I thought he ran really well and stayed better than I thought he would. We bypassed Aintree to come here and have a good crack at Punchestown," said Willie Mullins who also has flat race plans for Balla Sola in the autumn.
The Co Carlow trainer also took the concluding bumper with Be My Royal who held on by a length from Ellenjay under a powerful ride from James Nash. "He was one of those we were considering for Cheltenham but he didn't make it and now we'll think of Punchestown," Mullins said.
The handicap chase and the Beginners Chase produced superb finishes, with the fast finisher from behind coming out on top in each case.
Clady Boy looked to have the Beginners Chase sewn up in the closing stages but was just touched off by Hardiman who powered home under Tommy Treacy. Ruby Walsh was also just touched off in the next when Florida Star got the better of Viking Buoy who took a somewhat erratic route home on the run in.
Kieran Gaule returned from a jockeys' series in Japan in the morning but there was no sign of jetlag as he forced Nuzum Road Makers home in the Leinster Handicap Hurdle. The winner will go for the David Austen Chase at Punchestown next.
