Dinoblue kicked off the new season as she finished the last with a determined victory in the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas.
Runner-up when favourite for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the JP McManus-owned mare subsequently struck gold at Fairyhouse and Punchestown before enjoying a summer break.
The six-year-old was the 5-6 market leader for her reappearance in a Grade Three contest formerly known as the Poplar Square Chase and jumped and travelled with zest throughout in the hands of Mark Walsh.
Dinoblue's stablemate Sir Gerhard was not done with when crashing out two fences from home, which left Fil Dor as her only serious threat.
The latter did his best to reel in the Willie Mullins-trained favourite on the run-in, but she was always doing enough to fend him off and passed the post with a length and three-quarters in hand.
"She jumped well and handled the ground well. It’s a nice start to the season and you couldn’t be happier with her," said McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry.
"I’m not sure what plans Willie has for her, but I’m sure there will be similar down the road.
"She was getting all the allowances there, which was a huge help. She will come on from the run and Mark was delighted with her."
Dinoblue is kept up to her work in the feature Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase, pulling out more when challenged to make a winning return for the Mark Walsh and @WillieMullinsNH team 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8PhNeEXyvk
— Naas Racecourse (@NaasRacecourse) November 12, 2023
Grangeclare West and Mahon's Way showed their class to provide owners Cheveley Park Stud with a notable double.
Trained by Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead respectively, the pair of point-to-point graduates were expensive purchases at £430,000 and £360,000.
Grangeclare West (7-4) impressed when winning his bumper and a maiden hurdle, but disappointed in successive Grade One events earlier this year before rounding off his season on a high in lesser company at Punchestown in the spring.
The seven-year-old was a 7-4 shot for his reappearance and debut over regulation fences in the Mongey Communications Beginners Chase and jumped well under Paul Townend on his way to a near three-length victory over Heart Wood, with favourite Corbetts Cross back in third.
"He looks to be born to jump fences, he loved it," said the champion jockey.
"He had a blow but his jumping was getting him a long way. The two fences being taken out in the straight didn’t help but his class got him through.
"He’s always promised and I’d say with chasing he could fulfil his promise."
Mullins also landed the bumper with the Jody Townend-ridden Fleur Au Fusil (100-30).
Mahon’s Way (3-1) had earlier dominated his rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle, with Rachael Blackmore doing the steering as he pulled five and a half lengths clear.
"He’s a lovely horse and Alex Elliott bought him last year after he won his point-to-point. He came highly recommended and does everything well," said De Bromhead.
"He went through that ground but I’d say he’d have a preference for nicer. It’s tough work out there and you would think he will get further."
De Bromhead and Blackmore also teamed up to land the Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle with the similarly impressive Slade Steel (100-30), who proved much too strong for the favourite King Of Kingsfield.
The trainer added: "He was a nice bumper horse last year, we didn’t run him too much and it is nice to see him come out and do that.
"He really stayed at it. He won his point-to-point and I’d say he’s adaptable, he has a bit of pace as well.
"He has an entry in the Royal Bond and we’ll find a novice for him somewhere."
High-class Flat performer Smooth Tom (10-1) made it two from two over obstacles in the BetVictor Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle in the hands of 5lb claimer Philip Donovan.
Willie Slattery, brother and assistant to trainer Andrew, said: "He’s a 90-rated horse on the Flat and I was surprised how big a price he was. He handles soft ground but you would always be a bit worried about a Flat horse on winter ground.
"Andy was talking about giving him a rest and if he runs again it will probably be Leopardstown at Christmas. He’s going to have to step up again."
Chosen Diamond (7-1) was a winner of the Overlander Horseboxes Novice Handicap Chase, while the €40,000 Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle went to Espanito Bello (20-1) for owner-trainer Barry Connell
