The Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition earned a "perfect" report from his jockey Conor O'Dwyer when kicking off the new campaign with a smooth success at Punchestown yesterday.

For a horse that managed to overturn the then Gold Cup champion Kicking King in the 2005 running of the Star Chase, yesterday's task looked to be relatively straight forward but there was no denying how impressive War Of Attrition was in going about his business.

Both he and his main market rival, Watson Lake, grabbed the initiative at the third last obstacle but the race was as good as over a fence later and War Of Attrition eased home by 11 lengths.

O'Dwyer was understandably impressed with the display and so were most bookmakers with some cutting the horse to 3 to 1 favourite for a Gold Cup repeat in March.

"It was a good race, run at a good gallop, and he did what we wanted. It was perfect," said the rider. "He has definitely strengthened up since last year."

Trainer Mouse Morris will look at the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal for War Of Attrition's next start but he warned about the dangers of heavy ground.

"He just doesn't act on heavy and he won't run on it. It will be the Nicholson or the John Durkan next but today is a relief. He's a long way from being 100 per cent fit but I also know I'll never have a horse like him again," he said.

It wasn't just the War Of Attrition team and the bookmakers who were impressed but also Watson Lake's trainer Noel Meade, who will keep an eye on where the Gold Cup runner goes next before deciding about plans for his own horse.

"Our lad was in good form but I was very impressed with the winner. We'll have to try and keep away from him," Meade said.

In fact the only hiccup in the first step towards Cheltenham was the no show of War Of Attrition's owner Michael O'Leary. The Ryanair boss was reportedly held up at Heathrow airport.

Mattock Ranger earned general quotes of 33 to 1 for the SunAlliance when making a winning debut over fences in the Beginners Chase. Paul Carberry's mount was always prominent and powered up the straight to beat the favourite Knight Legend by four lengths and leave Meade pleasantly surprised.

"I was a bit worried he mightn't be fit enough and he will definitely come on for the run," he said. "He has continued improving from last season and three miles on soft ground will suit. The Grade One over three miles at Leopardstown at Christmas is a race we will look at."

Both the odds-on Celestial Wave and Brogella couldn't cope at all with the 14 to 1 shot Blazing Sky who ran away with the Listed Grabel Hurdle under jockey Paddy Flood. It was a fourth winner from just six rides that Flood has partnered for the Wexford trainer Frank McGuinness, who brought the former festival winner back from a 509-day absence due to a leg injury.

Robbie Burns saddled a sixth winner since starting to train near Mullingar last March when Davorin made a winning debut in the maiden hurdle. "I was a bit scared of the ground but the important thing is that he enjoyed it," said Burns.

Stradbrook earned favourable comparisons with the Cheltenham winner Hairy Molly when making all the running for a winning debut in the bumper.

"He has more class than Hairy Molly and it looked like he stayed well enough there," said trainer Joe Crowley. "I don't think you're supposed to start talking about Cheltenham yet but it would have to be at the back of your mind."