Michael Hourigan nominated the SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham as a long-term target for Church Island after he completed a hat-trick over fences at Clonmel yesterday.
The progressive son of Erin's Isle had little trouble landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Novice Chase at the Tipperary track.
The race soon developed into a duel between Church Island (5/4f) and Coast To Coast as they pulled well clear of the rest.
Coast To Coast came under pressure before the straight and Denis O'Regan didn't have to take the favourite off the bridle to score by eight lengths.
'He'll have week off in the paddock now. The plan is to go to Cheltenham for the November meeting to give him experience of the course before going for the SunAlliance. He's a good staying horse with a good cruising speed,' said Hourigan.
Cashmans bookmakers gave the winner a 25/1 quote for the SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham.
Hourigan had earlier initiated a double with the well-backed A New Story (4/1 to 5/2f) in the Templetuohy Handicap Hurdle.
Andrew McNamara gave the gelding a cool ride, producing him to lead before the second last and cruising to a cosy three-parts-of-a-length success over Cooper's Rose.
Drunken Disorderly looked a nice prospect when making a winning debut over hurdles in the John Costigan Memorial Novice Hurdle.
David Casey produced the Luso gelding to lead at the second last and he stayed on stoutly to score by two-and-a-half lengths from the fast-finishing Laetitia.
You Only Live Once left his previous form well behind to land the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle in convincing fashion.
He got the better off Pharlo Jingles before the second last and was left to come home 25-lengths clear when that rival fell at the last.
The concluding Killahora (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race produced a decent looking winner when Top Rate made a successful debut for Edward O'Grady and JP McManus.
Grangehill Dancer made all for a gutsy success in the Irish Coursing Club Handicap Hurde while Ballyjohnboy Lord also fought off all-comers to land the opening Tipp FM Maiden Hurdle.
