< Alpine Glade could be aimed at the Galway Hurdle after continuing on the upgrade with an impressive victory in the M D O'Shea & Sons Hurdle as red-hot favourite Sweeps Hill disappointed.
Willie McCreery's 9-4 chance was travelling much the best on the run to the second-last and pilot Barry Cash was able to afford himself a glance round.
He flew over the last two and was good value for the four-and-a-half-length call over the John Kiely-trained Sweeps Hill, who stayed on to take second without threatening the winner.
"I thought if she ran a good race behind Sweeps Hill she might go up again and get into some of those good handicaps during the summer," said McCreery, whose charge was third in a Grade Three at Punchestown last time out.
"The ground is the key to her, she loves the quick ground and she jumps really well.
"Her target will be one of the big handicaps now, maybe something like the Galway Hurdle."
The feature McSweeney Arms Hotel Handicap Chase went to 3-1 favourite Powerstation who got up close home from Head Waiter after a finely-judged Davy Russell ride.
Kiely had earlier struck with Taking Stock who looks a nice prospect for fences after staying on strongly after the last to claim division one of the Laurels Bar (C & G) Maiden Hurdle with something in hand.
The well-supported 3-1 favourite recovered from a mistake three out and was eventually three and a half lengths to the good over Theatre Festival
Kiely confirmed: "He's a real chaser in the making.
"He deserved that as he has been unlucky in the past."
There was drama before division two as favourite Gift Of Dgab was withdrawn at the start.
In the race itself the Billy Harney-trained Bruach Na Mara jumped really well over the last few flights and had enough in hand to hold the challenge of Wonder Now.
Harney said: "This fellow has been very unlucky in the past, he broke his pelvis and he was involved in an motorway accident in which he was flung out of the horse box. He needs good ground which he got today."
The opening Irish S
