Having ruled that Tom Foley failed to make sufficient effort to establish the exact condition of the ground at Naas on Saturday, the local stewards fined the Carlow trainer £200 for withdrawing Danoli from the Heatequip Chase.

Although the ground had changed from soft at declaration time on Friday morning to yielding on Saturday, Foley deemed the going unsuitable for his stable star and took Danoli out of the race by fax.

With Gentle Buck also an absentee, the field was reduced to only five and produced a most impressive winner in Imperial Call, the former Gold Cup winner, now in the care of Raymond Hurley.

Ridden for the first time by Paul Carberry, Imperial Call raced to a facile 15-length success over the mistake-prone Opera Hat and will now be put away until the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown where Danoli could be among his rivals.

Hurley, now the trainer of six winners, said: "There will be no plans made for a few days but it is highly probable that he will not run again until Christmas as he has now had three quick races."

Lanturn, narrowly beaten by Promalee at the course last time, was impressive when taking the European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase by 20 lengths under young Jason Maguire.

"Firm ground or soft ground, it does not seem to matter to him. He will now go for the William Neville and Sons Novice Chase at Leopardstown next month," said winning trainer Pat Hughes.

Barry Cash continues to make the most of the opportunities given to him by Arthur Moore. Cash rode his second winner for the former champion trainer in as many racing days when successful on Star Service, the 9 to 4 favourite, in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Savanagh, trained and ridden by Charlie Swan, gamely saw off the late challenge of the smart flat performer Admiral Wings, an uneasy favourite on his jumping debut, to take the Ardmore Blood Booster Hurdle.