Top juvenile Pittoni lost his unbeaten record as Coole River made every yard of the running in the Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Navan.
Sent off at 5-2 in the Grade Two contest, the Jessica Harrington-trained Coole River was strongly challenged by Tom Cooper's Lucky William at the second-last but answered every call for Robbie Power.
He asserted again to beat Lucky William by three and a half lengths, with Charles Byrnes' 9-10 favourite Pittoni never really threatening in third
Harrington said: "He's tough. I made the right call coming here instead of Thurles.
"Robert said at the last he pricked his ears but as soon as anything comes near him he goes on again. He loves a battle.
"He was taken out of Cheltenham and we'll wait for Fairyhouse and Punchestown for races over two and a half miles."< Nicanor (4-6 favourite) got off the mark over fences at the sixth attempt with a narrow but comfortable victory over Deal Done in the Trim Beginners Chase.
Delighted trainer Noel Meade said: "He's been running into good ones. He just tied up a bit in the ground and would want it better.
"He's in the Jewson and we'll see what the handicapper gives him. Nothing is ruled in or out at the moment."
Cooper's Son Amix had earlier turned the Kilberry Maiden Hurdle into a procession, scooting 28 lengths clear after the last to score as the 5-2 market leader.
"That was very good. He obviously wasn't right the first day, even though he scoped right afterwards," said Cooper.
"It was only four or five days later that we found he was wrong. He was a different horse today and jumped much better.
"When he came over he was very free and it took him a while to settle - to do it the Irish way instead of the French!
"He's in the Fred Winter and we'll have a look at that. He'll appreciate a bit better ground."
