Racing:War Of Attrition was the star of the show at Navan as he continued his resurgence with a brave front-running performance in the ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle.
The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero may not be quite the force of old, but he recorded an emotional success in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last month and was sent off at 7-1 to follow up.
The 11-year-old travelled and jumped with zest at the head of affairs under Davy Russell and had all of his rivals apart from hot favourite Mourad hard at work on the turn for home.
War Of Attrition continued to jump well up the straight and while Mourad loomed up menacingly, he could not get by Mouse Morris's veteran as he stayed on to pass the post a head to the good.
"That was a good performance and we'll see how he comes out of this before making a decision on his next race," said Morris.
"I wouldn't have thought that win will affect his National weight. The World Hurdle looks a bit of a one-horse race and the favourite (Big Buck's) is a bit like us in the way that he lost his way over fences.
"We'll leave all options open, though. That (two miles five furlongs) was not his ideal trip, but he showed his class. He might even run in both, why not?"
Willie Mullins was not too disappointed with the performance of Mourad and he could still head for the Cheltenham Festival to contest the World Hurdle.
"The owners are very keen to go, but the record of five-year-olds in that race leaves a fair bit to be desired," said Mullins.
"But if he could brush his jumping up, I think he'd have a good each-way chance. Any day you are beaten by a Gold Cup winner, there is no shame in that."