Mouse Morris’ War Of Attrition underlined his potential with a convincing victory in the Clonmel Oil Chase under Conor O’Dwyer.
Sent off the 1/2f, those who backed him never had a moment to worry as the six-year-old jumped soundly throughout and led on the run-in to beat his market rival Rathgar Beau (2-1) a shade cosily.
The two principles were settled at the back of the field for most of the two-and-a-half-mile race with O'Dwyer making his move approaching five fences from home, after a slow early pace.
He sent War Of Attrition round the outside of his rivals but Rathgar Beau was always in close attendance under Shay Barry and was snapping at his heels over the final couple of fences.
However, Barry had to switch his mount to the outside after losing racing room approaching the final fence, which handed the advantage to the favourite who powered away after landing full of running.
Strong Project was just slightly in front at the last but unseated David Casey, although Charlie Swan's charge looked unlikely to challenge the winner.
Rathgar Beau tried hard to claw back his rival on the run towards the line but was always being held, eventually finishing half a length behind, with Morris' Alcapone taking third.
Afterwards, the winning trainer said: "It was a bit of a sprint, which I suppose would suit Rathgar Beau who has got a lot of speed, and I was pleased.
"It was great of Clonmel Oil to sponsor the race. It was a nice pot and to have first and third is not a bad day's work.
"Conor said to me the horse has not been so fast over the last two in his whole life but he has jumped well and I can't ask for any more. They are two good horses.
"We will have to see how he comes out of the race but if he is OK he could run in the John Durkan (at Fairyhouse on December 4).
"The Lexus would be the aim at Christmas as I would like to run him over three miles to see how he gets on."
Eamonn Sheehy, trainer of Rathgar Beau, said: "We couldn't be any happier with him. It is a little bit disappointing he got beaten but he was beaten by a very good horse."
"I thought between the second-last and last that we had him but War Of Attrition has quickened up well. My lad will improve a bit, but not an awful lot.
"Shay said our lad was very free early on and he thought if he could get him settled he would have a bit of extra speed at the end just to shade him if he could, but there was no great pace on.
The John Durkan is an option but I might go back to the two-mile route and his main aim will be the two-miler at Punchestown at Christmas (Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase), although he will also get an entry in the Tingle Creek.
