Willie Mullins' Leopardstown domination continued in the Willis Towers Watson European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle as Let's Dance proved much too good for her rivals.
The four-year-old was a smart performer in top juvenile company last season, but having failed to win a race until scoring at Sligo in May, she remains a novice for the current campaign.
She impressed on her comeback in a Listed event at Punchestown last month and was the 3-10 favourite for this Grade Three test.
Slowmotion kept Let's Dance honest for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey, but was unable to go with her from the home turn and there was 17 lengths between them at the line to give Mullins his 21st winner of the Christmas period. The trainer would go on to finihs the festive period with 22 winners.
It's win No 21 over the Christmas period for Willie Mullins as Let's Dance cruises to victory in the European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle pic.twitter.com/BYlmZhW2t8
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 29, 2016
Mullins said: "She did that well and jumped and galloped like we thought she would do. We're pleased with her and she's improving all the time.
"I didn't really get a chance to talk to Ruby but from what I can gather it was pretty straightforward.
"The mares' novice (at Cheltenham) is only two miles and she might go out further in trip. She may go for the (OLBG) Mares' Hurdle even though she's only a novice. She'll be entered in both. Looking at that performance she could get three miles."
Before that, Battleford had given Mullins his 20th win in just four days as he claimed the Guinness Maiden Hurdle.
The champion trainer saddled six winners at Leopardstown and Limerick combined on St Stephen's Day and repeated the feat the following afternoon before enjoying a five-timer on Wednesday.
With Mullins having already landed the first two races at Limerick, high-class bumper performer Battleford was the 4-9 favourite to bounce back from a disappointing hurdling debut at Navan last month.
Ruby Walsh dictated matters at the head of affairs and while Coeur Joyeux was a persistent threat, the market leader saw him off by two lengths.
Walsh said: "He probably could improve a bit with his jumping. He didn't jump as well as he has schooled at home.
"He's a tough horse who will like a trip and he'll move up in grade I'd imagine now."
The champion trainer added of Battleford: "He was very good but a bit novicey at a few of his hurdles. He was way better than he was in Navan.
"He's another horse that's going to keep on improving. He's so strong and big in himself. I don't know if he's fit yet. He was impressive.
"He'd step up in trip all the time I'd say. Three miles won't be a problem to him. He's a really tough horse.
"He gives himself a hard time all the time, but he thrives on it."
Courtncatcher knuckled down to claim top honours in the opening Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Patrick Duffy's charge was a 12-1 chance having filled the runner-up spot on his latest appearance at Thurles earlier in the month.
The nine-year-old was one of a number of horses in with a chance rounding the home turn and showed a good attitude after the final fence under Conor Brassil to prevail by two and a half lengths.
Thomond was second ahead of Dallas Cowboy in third. Gambled-on favourite Katnap was bitterly disappointing.
Duffy said: "He's been running very well but not clicking. He ran well in Cork in the National but maybe didn't get home.
"I've only the one horse so I'm up against it. I'm over 80 and I ride him every day. I ride fast work as well. Nobody else rides him but me."
Exactoris was a 4-1 winner of the Top Oil EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey JJ Slevin.
O'Brien said: "He travelled and jumped and stays well. JJ gave him a great ride and I think that might be his 7lb claim gone."
The Robbie McNamara-trained Quick Grabim was a dominant winner of the concluding Donohoe Marquees Flat Race under Finny Maguire.
McNamara said: "He's a nice horse. We thought he'd win the first day and the ground went against him. He did everything wrong the first day. He was keen and then he got idle when he hit the front.
"It was the same today. He did everything wrong and was well entitled to get himself beat.
"The plan before he even ran was the champion bumper at Punchestown as we thought a lot of him.
"I don't want to go to Cheltenham with him as he's too immature to go there. We have one or two others that might go there."
