Back In Front crashed out on his return to action at Clonmel on Thursday leaving Hear The Echo to make an impressive debut over fences.
The former SunAlliance Hurdle winner looked to have a straight forward task in the Wilderness Chase but was slightly uneasy in the market (4/11 - 4/7f).
Paddy Flood's mount was chasing eventual winner Hear The Echo when coming to grief five out.
The leader went on for an effortless success over Coljon, with Conor O'Dwyer sitting motionless on the run-in to record a five-length verdict.
'If you're not in you can't win,' said winning trainer Mouse Morris. 'I was quite impressed with him. He jumped lovely.'
Cashmans introduced the winner as a 33/1 shot for the Royal and SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham.
Back In Front's trainer Edward O'Grady had better luck elsewhere on the card, saddling a double with Grapevine Sally and Some Legend.
Grapevine Sally ran out a cosy winner of the Cashel Maiden Hurdle under Paddy Flood. The mare hit the front before the second last and had a bit in hand as she recorded a three-length verdict over newcomer Lady Farthingville.
'She'll go for a winners race somewhere,' said O'Grady. 'We'll probably aim her at some of the good mares races in the spring.'
Flood also had an easy time of it aboard Some Legend, who cantered to a four-and-a-half length success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
The opening Cahir Maiden Hurdle also produced an impressive winner with Window Of Hope running out a three-and-a-half length victor.
Ruby Walsh kicked on before the second last, on the Tom Taaffe-trained gelding, and he quickened smartly to put matters beyond doubt.
The Fethard Handicap Hurdle produced a terrific finish with Ilringuback just edging the verdict from Johnny Gonzalez after the pair had duelled it out from the second last.
Market Watcher stepped up on previous efforts to land the Powerstown Desmene Handicap Hurdle, surviving untidy jumps at the last two to score by half-a-length from Paldounix.
