Forget The Past could have the Ryanair Chase as his Cheltenham target following a cosy win in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on Tuesday.
Michael O'Brien's charge produced a terrific round of jumping, under Andrew Lynch, to score by two lengths from Hi Cloy.
Lynch had his mount handy throughout and let him jump to the front four out. Hi Cloy travelled well into the straight but couldn't match the winner from the last.
'It was a good performance over 2m4f - he beat a 2m4f specialist in Hi Cloy today,' said O'Brien.
'It was never the plan to go to the Hennessy with him, he was just there in case something happened to the other fellow.
'He will probably go to Gowran Park (Red Mills Chase). It would be the same in the Gold Cup, he would only go there if the other fellow didn't come up to scratch. He could go for the Ryanair Chase.
'We have to see if In Compliance stays the three miles. It would be no problem to switch him back to two miles for the Queen Mother.
'This fellow is a fabulous horse but he's probably not quite a Gold Cup horse. I think In Compliance is a far better horse.' Cashmans made Forget The Past a 8/1 shot for the Ryanair Chase.
Gazza's Girl took the Grade 3 Mares Novice Chase in great style, cruising to a four-length success over Sabina Park.
Barry Geraghty sent the mare to the front before the last and she only had to be shaken up briefly on the run-in to quicken away impressively from the front-runner.
'She deserved that - she's been unlucky,' said Jessica Harrington. 'She did that nicely and she'll head back to Leopardstown now for the PJ Moriarty. She also has an entry at Cheltenham for the SunAlliance.'
Cleni Boy bounced back to form when battling well to score in the EBF Novice Hurdle. Paul Carberry's mount jumped to the lead at the final flight and stayed on well to see off the challenge of Pontium by half a length.
'He was very disappointing the last day,' said Gillian O'Brien, partner of trainer Noel Meade. 'Something was aching him. We had his back looked at and that seemed to make a difference.'
Rindoon turned the opening maiden hurdle into a procession, making all for an effortless seven-length victory.
'On his last run he deserved to win a little race like that,' said trainer Dusty Sheehy. 'He could go for a novice hurdle now at either Punchestown or Limerick.'
There was a successful return to action in the concluding contest for last year's Champion Hunter Chaser Whyso Mayo.
Raymond Hurley's charge ran out an easy five-length winner from Oscar India and has Leopardstown on February 10th as his next target.
Out In Front found an extra gear close home to score by half-a-length from Conem in the handicap hurdle while Dr Willie Martin pulled away before the last to settle matters in the Gain Horse Feeds Hurdle.
