Cracking Smart clears the last under Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
Cracking Smart returned to form with a vengeance at 16/1 in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan.
The eight-year-old gelding sported the second colours of Gigginstown as double Grand National hero Tiger Roll made his seasonal comeback in the race he won at 25/1 last year.
There was to be no repeat, however, connections must have been delighted with Tiger Roll's performance as he travelled sweetly on the bridle before feeling the pinch after two out in coming home fifth.
Cracking Smart raced in third behind Killultagh Vic and Magic Of Light turning for home.
Magic Of Light then hit the front from Cracking Smart three out as Killultagh Vic came under pressure.
Cracking Smart travelled strongly into the head of affairs before the second last where he had the field on the stretch.
He was a healthy four lengths clear of a staying-on Penhill at the last and was kept up to his work by Davy Russell to win snugly by four lengths.
Runner-up Penhill was a 3/1 chance and he was five lengths in front of Bachasson (11/1).
Russell said: "To be fair Gordon (Elliott) said he had him in tip-top shape and he felt very good the whole way through the race.
"He was very talented as a novice and he didn't reach the heights which we were all bemused by.
"He travelled quite well but you just weren't sure what would happen when he came off the bridle but he was very good."
Gordon Elliott said: "It is great for Cracking Smart to win it but he is probably going to be overshadowed by Tiger Roll.
"He (Cracking Smart) is entered in some of the handicaps at Cheltenham and maybe the softer ground could be the key to him too."
"I thought he (Tiger Roll) ran a brilliant race - he jumped and Keith (Donoghue) said he travelled everywhere. He thought after three out he was going to win. Down to the second last he just had a blow then and rode him hands and heels to the line.
"I told Keith to follow them around and if you beat one or two home I'd be thrilled. I thought there was a lot of pluses to be taken out of the race and once he is okay in the morning, that is all we wanted.
"He said he pulled the arms out of him the whole way and we can look forward to the Cross Country race now.
"Cheltenham is the plan now and he'll go to Cheltenham next week or the week after to have a pop around. We'll take a lead-horse with him and he'll also have another racecourse gallop and that'll be him.
"We are thrilled with Tiger Roll and once he is alright in the morning it will be all systems for Cheltenham and all being well the Randox Aintree Grand National.
"He did to be honest (run better than he expected). I was very worried about the ground, I didn't think he would walk on it and I was worried about his fitness but I thought it was a positive run."
Paddy Power kept Tiger Roll unchanged at 11/10 favourite for the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and as 5/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
