Black Hercules made it double on the card for connections - Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins and owners Graham and Andrea Wylie (earlier successful with Felix Yonger , as he easily accounted for his nine rivals in the Drogheda Beginners Chase.

Last seen finishing a disappointing seventh in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March, the son of Heron Island was well-fancied to get back to winning ways here and he was sent off the 8/15 favourite.

Settled in second he was left in front after six out as the front-running Marlbrook made a bad mistake and pulled up.

Stablemate Sabremont was his only danger turning into the straight, and he had him beaten from before the last, stretching clear on the run-in to score easily by twelve lengths.

Sabremont had to settle for second under Danny Mullins at 10/1, while Milanesque (100/1) completed the placings a further sixty-five lengths back in third under Martin Ferris for Paul Flynn.

Just five of the ten runners managed to complete the course.

Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He did that nicely. He jumped well and I particularly liked the way he quickened after he saw Danny on his tail. He gave him a squeeze after the second last and he quickened.

"He won't go anywhere over Christmas. There is a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in January that's a possibility.

"He needs more match practice and hopefully keeps improving. I'd say he'll be an RSA horse but we want to get a couple of runs into him before Cheltenham.

"Sambremont ran a cracker and I'd imagine he's coming into four-mile territory. He's a real staying chaser."

Paddy Power go 12/1 (from 16's) about Black Hercules for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.

They have also shortened him from 33's to 20's for the RSA.

STEWARDS REPORTS

B.J. Cooper, rider of All Hell Let Loose trained by Ms. Sandra Hughes, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped poorly and was badly hampered before pulling up.

D.N. Russell, rider of Fine Article trained by Paul Nolan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got very tired and was pulled up.

M.P. Walsh, rider of Marlbrook trained by C.A.Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake and was pulled up.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson