Forpadydeplasterer made a satisfactory debut over fences in the Panoramic Restaurant Beginners' Chase at Punchestown today, leaving the field in his wake as he jumped the last in desperate conditions.
A smart novice hurdler last term - he had the ability to finish fourth behind Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - connections have wasted no time in sending him over fences.
And while he always had the look of an embryonic chaser last season, he will have found the two-mile trip plenty short enough, .
Challengers were queueing up behind Davy Russell's mount over the last two fences but a big leap at the last sealed the result as the 9-10 favourite held on from Tony Martin's Clarified by half a length.
"That was brilliant and he came home in one piece which was the main thing," said his trainer Tom Cooper. "The horse had done plenty (at home) but not as much as this time last year.
"He jumped very well, it took him to the front earlier than we wanted.
"When he put in that big leap at the last I think it was a sure sign that there was plenty left in the tank, if he was tired he wouldn't have jumped it as big.
"I wouldn't rule out going over two miles again if the ground came up a bog over Christmas at Leopardstown."
The bookmakers were not that impressed though as Stan James left him unchanged at 20-1 for both the Arkle and SunAlliance Chase while Cashmans introduced him at 14-1 for the same event.
Another earning quotes for the Festival in March was Noel Meade's Fisher Bridge after a stylish performance in the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Hurdle.
The five-year-old, a winner for Walter Swinburn on the level, was always handy and sprinted clear after the last to beat Lenabane by four and a half lengths.
"It probably wasn't the best novice hurdle but he goes well on the ground and he's a stronger horse this year than last year," said Meade of the 4-5 favourite.
"He jumped well and has been working well.
"He goes for the For Auction Novice Hurdle in Navan (November 9) next."
Bob Lingo (4-5 favourite), third behind Fisher Bridge on his last start, turned the Punchestown Event Centre Maiden Hurdle into an absolute cakewalk and gave Russell a double.
Tom Mullins' six-year-old had finished sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago behind Meade's potential Champion Hurdle contender Jered.
Mullins said: "I was a little disappointed that he got beaten the last day but he learned a lot and was better for the run.
"He didn't settle the last day and I thought he'd prefer better ground but Davy said he floated on the ground there.
"There's more to come from the horse, he pulled up a fresh horse there."
Fisher Bridge was given a 25-1 quote for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle while Bob Lingo was introduced at 33-1.
"Fisher Bridge certainly ploughed through the Punchestown sleet like a decent horse under his 4lb penalty, and with winning Flat form on much better ground he is unlikely to be inconvenienced by faster ground in the spring," said Stan James' Charlie McCann.
"The subsequent facile win on the same card of Bob Lingo gave more credence to the form of the Noel Meade charge, and the Irish once again look to have a very strong hand in the Festival opener even at this very early stage of the season."