It's back to the drawing board for Willie Mullins' former Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Ebaziyan as he was turned over at prohibitive odds of 1-2 in the Punchestown Annual Membership Hurdle by Coolcashin (10-1).

Mullins had planned to send the grey chasing but saw this contest as the ideal opportunity to build up his confidence.

However, despite a waiting ride by Ruby Walsh he could never quite get to Tom Doyle on Michael Bowe's top-weight and went down by three lengths.

"Hopefully that's a good omen for 2009 as 2008 was a terrible year in every sense of the word," said Bowe.

"This fellow was always a nice horse and he'll go chasing eventually, he is a very good jumper. He just can't keep up with the top hurdlers but in fairness to him he had top weight here today and battled it out well."

Mullins was on the mark earlier with Equus Maximus (9-4 favourite) in the Visit Panoramic Restaurant Beginners' Chase, but it was not straightforward for Walsh.

"We will probably go for a winners' of one with him in a few weeks. This horse has always been liked but hasn't quite fulfilled the promise he has shown in his bumpers. We will keep him over this sort of trip," said Mullins.

Walsh also won on Natural Storm for Francis Flood.

Colm Murphy's good run continued with Kennel Bridge (5-1) in the Buy Your Tickets On Line Handicap Hurdle.

Young jockey Matt O'Connor was right down to his minimum though as he carried 10st 2lb, minus his 3lb claim.

"That was great and long may it last. We'll see what the handicapper does now and hopefully he won't be too hard on us.

He has done nothing but improve and hopefully he keeps improving. The bit of nicer ground helped and Matt was at the pin of his collar (to do the weight)," said Murphy.

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