Sweet Wake is as low as 4/1 favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle following an impressive victory in the Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle.
They literally walked in the opening stages of this race but when the race started in earnest three out, the 1/2 favourite soon showed his class under Paul Carberry.
The Noel Meade-trained five-year-old quickened clear in the straight with the minimum of fuss for a very cosy three and a half lengths verdict over Conscript.
'It was a very messy race but it kind of suited as we didn't want the guts dragged out of him. I don't know if he'll have another run before Cheltenham,' said Meade.
'He looks very special and showed some boot in the straight. You would have to think the way he moves that good ground will suit him,' added Meade.
Sean Grahams left the German import unchanged at 8/1 for the Festival opener but other firms were more impressed, with Cashmans cutting him to 6/1 and Paddy Power as low as 4/1 (both from 8's).
Southern Vic confirmed the big impression he made at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting when making all in the featured Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase.
The race was over in a matter of strides when Conor O'Dwyer asked the son of Old Vic to quicken after three out, drawing clear to beat Church Island by 12L with Homer Wells a further 20L adrift in third.
'What you see is what you get as he just gallops, jumps away and stays well,' said trainer Ted Walsh afterwards.
'He'll probably go for the ladbrokes.com Ten Up Novice Chase (another 3m Grade 2 event) at Navan on February 19, and that might be it for this season unless the ground stays soft.'
'If somebody told me Cheltenham was in doubt after a monsoon then we might consider going there!' quipped Walsh.
Solerina recorded her 22nd career win when leading home a 1-2 for the Bowe family in the hands of Gary Hutchinson in the Cedar Building Hurdle.
She eased to the front off the home turn and, with Florida Coast travelling equally well in her slipsteam, was pushed out with hands and heels to beat her tenderly handled stablemate by 2L.
'Gary said she possibly didn't have the enthusiasm that she normally has, and I was surprised how close Flordia Coast got,' said owner John Bowe.
'There is talk of a new two and a half miles hurdle being created at Fairyhouse next month, which would suit her. If not, the Red Mills at Gowran is the most likely option.'
Jessica Harrington received another boost, following the victory of Studmaster in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown last Sunday, when Knight Legend easily won the maiden hurdle.
Robert Power's mount was always travelling well and, after striking the front two out, stayed on strongly to beat Mattock Ranger by six lengths.
Her local Moone yard has been laid low with a virus for some months but Harrington is hopeful that her powerful string are returning to form.
She said, 'They seem to be over it but it's just something you can't see so we have to just hope. This horse will go for a 2 1/2m hurdle, and we'll try to miss the good novices.'
Hazelhall Princess (Colin Motherway) just got the better of Maristania in an exciting finish to the 3m handicap chase, while the versatile Just took the handicap hurdle under Andrew McNamara.
Hairy Molly sent punters home happy when the 2/1 favourite got on top inside the final furlong of the bumper to beat the staying on Emma Jane by 2L.
Alan Magee
