Useful he may have been cross-channel when in the Aga Khan silks and under the care of Sir Michael Stoute, but the claims of Alamiyan went unnoticed by many for division one of the h'cap hurdle.
However there were those that knew better and at least 16/1 with one leading layer this morning quickly disappeared about the 40,000 guineas Newmarket Autumn Sales 2005 purchase.
In the Hennessy colours made famous by Champion Hurdler, Sublimity, this son of King's Best last competed on the flat off 90, winter ground hurdling form seeing him in here off a rating of 81.
Those that invested in the John Carr-trained 5yo (11/2 into 4s, touched 7/2 on course) will doubtless watch re-runs of Philip Carberry's winning ride more than once as events unfolded so well.
Held up, Alamiyan made smooth improvement three out, a slight mistake at the next or a peck at the last when in front, didn't in the least bit interfere with the 1 1/2L victor.
A $425,000 yearling that was originally at Ballydoyle, Giant Eagle has benefited greatly from a tie-back wind operation and as a son of Giant's Causeway, quick ground is not a problem.
As a winner of two from six in bumpers, Tom Foley's charge held a fair ranking in that sphere and he was expected to make short work of inferior types on his hurdling bow.
From Kilkenny, neighbouring county to Foley's Carlow, Tom Doyle took the mount on the 2/5 chance and whilst he didn't win in that sort of style, he got the job done nonetheless.
Not fluent in his jumping early, Giant Eagle was pushed along from four out, led approaching the last and kept on well under pressure to beat Man Of Integrity by 1 1/4L.
Put in a shade of odds-on in a place this morning, Strath Gallant proved easier to back after, but he still was a neck too good for the well-supported favourite, Ah Ya Boy Ya.
Ruby Walsh got the Dermot Weld-trained maiden hurdle winner home by a neck from his aforementioned opponent, after the pair had engaged in a battle from the second last onwards.
In the Bobs Pride colours of Robert Blacoe, Strath Gallant is certainly versatile in terms of ground as he has a Curragh h'cap win to his name on heavy going.
Walsh went on to complete a double on Keelaghan. On his third start for Tony Martin, the ex-Mickey Flynn trained son of Accordion made a winning chasing bow.
Second travelling well after two out, the 4/5 fav led at the last and was driven clear on the run-in for an easy 3L win. Templelusk unfortunately had to be put down following an early fall here.
Colm Murphy also registered a brace. Lady Steppes and Davy Russell came home strongly to take the 4.05 and Murphy's fellow Wexford-man, Matt O'Connor rode Prince Roco to win the bumper.
Niall Slippers' Madden has struck up a good partnership with Jimmy Sailor, Ger O'Leary's representative adding to his Downpatrick gains in the 4.35.
