Royal Alphabet put down an early marker for Cheltenham Festival honours with an impressive debut over fences at Thurles today.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old is now as low as 12-1 (from 20s) with Ladbrokes for the Arkle Chase after handing out a six-length beating to Aye Aye Popeye in the Killinan Beginners Chase.
Royal Alphabet, a leading novice hurdler in Ireland last season, was always prominent under Ruby Walsh, jumping fluently before taking a clear lead down the back straight.
Walsh took a look around in the home straight for dangers, and although he had to keep the 6-4 favourite up to his work, he was allowed to come home in his own time.
Mullins was thrilled to see Royal Alphabet make a winning start and hinted that the gelding may well be better on quicker ground.
"I am delighted with that, his jumping was very rapid," he said.
"I'd always be concerned about the ground but as he gets older he should handler soft ground better. He'll come on a lot for that run and we'll stick over two miles for the time being."
Mouse Morris also unveiled another Festival hope as War Of Attrition did just enough to make a winning chase debut in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase.
The five-year-old was sent off the 6-4 favourite but lost a bit of ground at a couple of fences on the back straight and had to be chased along to keep tabs on the leaders.
However, the gelding was back on terms approaching the last two fences, and although jockey Conor O'Dwyer had to work hard, he did not need to use the whip, and the pair got the better of Sraid Na Cathrach close home to score by a head.
PA