The 50,000 euro McHale looked ultra-competitive on paper but Sole Pretender continued his ascent through the ranks with an authoritative display.

Jonathan Burke 's mount was prominent from flagfall, picked up the lead before the second and had the pursuers on the stretch after the penultimate flight in this two and a half mile contest.

Once he popped the last, he moved clear at the furlong pole and came in by six lengths at 5/1. He put on an exhibition of swift, fluent jumping. Waterville Dancer the 9/2 favourite, made up a lot of ground to flash home for second without troubling the winner. Cosmo's Moon (8/1) and Silver Star (14/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

Norman Lee said: “We’re delighted and he’s doing everything we’re asking of him. We have a small yard with 15 horses in at the moment and he’s by far the best we’ve ever had. He’s owned by a great man, Michael Hogan, and he trusts us with him.

“We will have 30 in for the winter and we are always open to getting good horses into the yard.

“We’ll consider everything with him and he might get a run on the Flat. We were hoping he’d do what he did there - he’s very progressive. I had him in the Curragh last week and he worked super. We were expecting a big run.”

Sole Pretender has now won a bumper and two handicap hurdles at Ballinrobe.

Davy Russell was stood down for the day after a fall from Swamp Fox at the first flight.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee