FORPADYDEPLASTERER made a satisfactory debut over fences in the Panoramic Restaurant Beginners' Chase at Punchestown yesterday.
A smart novice hurdler last term - he had the ability to finish fourth behind Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - connections have wasted no time in sending him over fences.
And while he always had the look of an embryonic chaser last season, he will have found the two-mile trip plenty short enough, despite the desperate conditions.
Challengers were queueing up behind Davy Russell's mount over the last two fences but a big leap at the last sealed the result as the 9 to 10 favourite held on from Tony Martin's Clarified by half a length.
"That was brilliant and he came home in one piece which was the main thing," said his trainer, Tom Cooper. The bookmakers were not that impressed though as Stan James left him unchanged at 20 to 1 for both the Arkle and SunAlliance Chase while Cashmans introduced him at 14 to 1.
Another earning quotes for the Festival in March was Noel Meade's Fisher Bridge after a stylish performance in the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Hurdle.
The five-year-old, a winner for Walter Swinburn on the level, was always handy and sprinted clear after the last to beat Lenabane by four and a half lengths.
"It probably wasn't the best novice hurdle but he goes well on the ground and he's a stronger horse this year than last year," said Meade of the 4 to 5 favourite.
Bob Lingo (4-5 favourite), third behind Fisher Bridge on his last start, turned the Punchestown Event Centre Maiden Hurdle into an absolute cakewalk and gave Russell a double.
Tom Mullins' six-year-old had finished sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago behind Meade's potential Champion Hurdle contender Jered. Mullins said: "I was a little disappointed that he got beaten the last day but he learned a lot and was better for the run. He didn't settle the last day and I thought he'd prefer better ground but Davy said he floated on the ground there. There's more to come from the horse, he pulled up a fresh horse there."
Fisher Bridge was given a 25 to 1 quote for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle while Bob Lingo was introduced at 33 to 1.
• Ruby Walsh teams up with an interesting French import in today's feature at Clonmel but the champion jockey can really make hay in some of the other races, writes Brian O'Connor.
Polmar has his first start for Willie Mullins in the Wilderness Chase but on figures Glenfinn Captain sets a standard that may be hard to catch.
The Mullins-Walsh team however can score in the second maiden hurdle with Persian City who can use the experience he gained behind Oscar Dan Dan at Punchestown last time to good effect.
Reens Pike should be able to follow up a Limerick success under a 7lb higher rating in the three-mile handicap hurdle while Conker Nails could figure prominently in the two-mile handicap.
