Cheltenham Festival winner Very Wood made a solid start to his career over fences with a workmanlike success at Galway.
Noel Meade's five-year-old was a 33-1 winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in March, but failed to fire on his only subsequent appearance at Punchestown in late April.
A 1-2 favourite for the W.B. Gavin & Co EBF Beginners Chase, Very Wood jumped well in the main in the hands of Bryan Cooper and loomed up ominously along the back straight.
Odds-on backers were made to sweat, however, as he was unorganised at the final fence and briefly had to be shaken up by Cooper on landing before coming back on the bridle at the top of the straight.
The Job Is Right kept Very Wood honest in the straight and Cooper had to resort to his whip to make sure of the victory, but he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post a length and a half to the good.
Cooper said: "He's loads of scope and jumped well but would probably be better on a more galloping track.
"He got the job done, and chasing will be his game.
Meade's representative, Nina Carberry, said: "That was a nice introduction.
"I'd imagine Noel will be looking at the good novice races, and maybe something like the Drinmore (Fairyhouse).
"He never does a lot in front."
Adrian Heskin rode his first winner for new boss Barry Connell as Black Benny clung on for victory in the Ennis Lifts Handicap Chase.
Leading owner Connell announced last week Heskin would become his new retained rider, replacing previous number one Danny Mullins, and it did not take long for the new partnership to find the target.
The Shane Broderick-trained Black Benny was a 5-1 shot for his two-and-three-quarter-mile assignment and turned into the straight chasing down Aranhill Chief and Rogue Angel.
Black Benny picked up to run to the lead and although Rogue Angel made a real race of it, Broderick's charge held on by a neck.
Connell said: "He looked well handicapped on his second to King Vuvuzela and he'd a nice run on the Flat at Roscommon. Adrian said he was getting tired at the end.
"He wants goodish ground, and maybe he'll go for a handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas.
"He had a leg (injury) and was off for a year but has been a grand old servant.
"Adrian is very good over an obstacle, and is strong in a finish. He's got all you'd need in a rider.
"He's spent quite a bit of time with Enda Bolger. Enda is a good judge and rates him highly."
Heskin said: "It's great to get off the mark for Barry and hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here."
