Bellshill gave Willie Mullins his fourth win in the last five renewals of the Navan Novice Hurdle with a clear-cut victory at the Co Meath track.
A Grade One bumper winner at Punchestown in April, Bellshill (4-6 favourite) followed up his debut hurdles win at Cork in an impressive manner to take this Grade Two contest over two and a half miles.
The winner's stablemate Stone Hard made the running until he parted company with Paul Townend at the fifth-last flight.
That left Ruby Walsh in front on Bellshill and the Graham Wylie-owned five-year-old sealed success with good leaps at the final two flights.
Tycoon Prince was 12 lengths back in second with Chesterfieldavenue last of the three finishers.
Speaking after the win, Mullins said: "I know there were very few runners but there was very good opposition.
"The manner in which he quickened from the second-last in that ground, I was very taken with him.
"I was particularly pleased the way he handled the ground. He can tidy up his jumping but did everything nicely.
"He'll probably go to Naas for the Lawlors Hotel Hurdle next month."
Earlier, Ttebbob gave a superb round of jumping to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Klairon Davis Novice Chase.
Successful at Thurles on his first start over the bigger obstacles last month, Jessica Harrington's six-year-old disposed of his two rivals with the minimum of fuss.
In front from flag fall, the 2-5 favourite dictated affairs, with Robbie Power having no anxious moments.
Lord Scoundrel tried to close but never got near enough to mount a serious challenge and was 41 lengths down at the line. Shadow Catcher was always well behind and last of the trio.
Ttebbob was cut to 7-1 from 20-1 for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day with Paddy Power, who quote him at 25-1 for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
Harrington confirmed the south Dublin track was the likely venue for his next appearance, indicating that he will most likely stay around the two-mile mark.
Barry Geraghty sneaked Anibale Fly through to snatch victory on his jumps debut in the opening race of the card, the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle.
It appeared a shock was on the cards as 100-1 shout Broken Soul was leading at the last, but Geraghty weaved his way through on his 7-4 mount on the run to the line.
The Tony Martin-trained dual bumper winner responded in resolute fashion and got up in the dying strides to score by half a length.
There was also drama at the final flight in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase when Edwulf fell, allowing Walk To Freedom to capitalise.
The Aidan O'Brien trained Edwulf appeard to have the race at his mercy approaching the last, but his mistake allowed the 6-4 favourite get up to beat McKinley by four lengths.
The victory also secured a double for Harrington and jockey Robbie Power.
Fine Rightly (3-1 favourite) asserted in the closing stages to run out a smooth winner of the Foxrock Handicap Chase.
Smokey Joe Joe had taken the field along to three out where Fever Pitch led briefly. However, Fine Rightly was never far away and was produced by Andrew Lynch to lead at the penultimate obstacle.
Stuart Crawford's seven-year-old sealed victory with a fine jump at the last and held Fever Pitch by a length and three-quarters. My Murphy was seven lengths back in third.
Rossvoss gave Ted and Katie Walsh victory with an 18 length win in the Tara Handicap Hurdle.
Bryan Cooper brought Killer Crow (10-1) with a well-timed run to claim the Prancer And Dancer Rated Novice Chase.
Cooper bided his time on Gordon Elliott's six-year-old and though Killer Crow did not jump the last well, he had enough in the tank to overhaul The Winkler and score by a length and three-quarters.
Balnagon Boy was four and a half lengths away in third.
Death Duty (5-4 favourite) gave Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud a quick double when taking the concluding the 'Future Champions' INH Flat Race.
Nina Carberry just had to keep the five-year-old up to his work to supplement his Down Royal success six weeks ago by half a length from Our Duke.
Elliott said: "I'd say he's not a bad horse. He's not really a bumper horse.
"I don't think he'd jump a hurdle this season and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do a whole lot more. Three miles and fences is what he wants.
"It wasn't ideal to make the running but we knew there would be no pace."
Death Duty has big boots to fill as connections won this race in 2011 with top-class staying chaser Don Cossack.
