Noel Meade was pleased with Pandorama s winning debut over fences in the Christmas Parties at Punchestown Beginners' Chase - despite him only scraping home by a head.
The Grade One-winning novice hurdler was pushed all the way by Paul Nolan's Clan Tara himself no slouch over the smaller obstacles.
Paul Carberry attempted to make all on the 2-5 favourite but despite giving his fences plenty of air, he jumped repeatedly out to his left, allowing Clan Tara to have a crack at him.
To be fair to Pandorama, he battled gamely to the line and won a little cosily in the end and William Hill cut him to 16-1 from 20s for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March.
"I am happy enough. I know Paul (Nolan) thinks the world of the second and he had the rest well kettled," said Meade.
"He jumped left but won snug enough in the end.
"He'll go for the three-mile chase at Christmas (Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown) and I hope to give him one or two more runs before then.
"Going further than two and a half miles will suit him, and he'd like softer ground as well."< Psycho gained a long overdue success in the Go Racing In Kildare Hurdle.
Tony Martin's charge has finished placed in some of the biggest handicaps but has struggled to get his head in front.
A big leap at the last from Ruby Walsh's mount sealed an easy win though.
"We may now go chasing with Psycho as he's the age to do that now," said Martin.
"I'm not ruling out another hurdle outing but he has point-to-point experience which should stand to him over fences."
Mouse Morris' The Hurl overcame similar treatment to stablemate War Of Attrition to claim a first career success in the Dobbins Catering At Punchestown Maiden Hurdle.
"The Hurl always looked half decent but had the same tendon injury as War Of Attrition had. We used stem cell regeneration on The Hurl too & ndash; it is a non-invasive process and he was ridden out while he was being treated," said Morris.
