Racing:Garde Champetre recorded a fifth success over the Cheltenham cross-country course and followed-up his recent triumph at The Open meeting when bravely defying 11st 12lb under JT McNamara in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.
One of three runners for owner JP McManus and trainer Enda Bolger near four mile race, Garde Champetre always travelled with purpose as stablemate Heads Onthe Ground made the running under Nina Carberry.
There were five horses in with a shout at the final obstacle but Grade Champetre pulled out extra where it mattered to repel Sizing Australia by three-quarters of a length, with Maljimar back in third and Freneys Well fourth.
Heads Onthe Ground weakened to finish just out of the money.
The Package showed that he could be a Grand National horse of the future when landing what has become a recognised trial for that great race, the Neptune Investment Management Handicap Chase.
Given a classic waiting ride by Timmy Murphy, the well-backed 6-1 chance was always travelling kindly as Ashley Brook made the best of his way home coming down the hill.
The latter was stopped in his tracks by a bad mistake three out and soon after The Package was in control as The Tother One emerged as a threat.
The Package was always holding his pursuer, the 3-1 favourite, and won by a length.
Weird Al posted a strong claim for the RSA Chase at the Festival in March when landing a tight-knit Cheltenham Collection Novices' Chase at foggy Prestbury Park.
The lightly-raced gelding had successfully returned from the injury list at the Paddy Power meeting and, tackling virtually the same distance under Noel Fehily, served it up to his opponents from the front.
In command turning for home, the 11-4 shot kept on powerfully up the final hill to beat Pigeon Island two lengths to the delight of his trainer Ian Williams.
Spirit River (11-4 favourite) maintained the cracking run of owner Michael Buckley when turning the Caspian Caviar Handicap Hurdle into a one-sided affair under Barry Geraghty.
The top weight was in control at the bottom of the hill and maintained a strong gallop all the way to the line.
General Miller formed the clinching leg of a double for Henderson and Geraghty as he fought like a tiger to deny Ghizao in the EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.
The 5-1 shot preserved his unbeaten record with a display that stamps him as a contender for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Ghizao looked all set for victory when Lidar dropped away, with Ruby Walsh sitting pretty on the odds-on chance.
However, Geraghty bided his time and when it came to a fight up the final hill, General Miller found more to prevail in a driving finish.
Time For Rupert endorsed the promise of a solid first season's hurdling by outgunning Made In Japan and Kayf Aramis in the Boylepoker.com Handicap Hurdle.
Paul Webber's belief that the 16-1 winner could be a future Cheltenham Festival winner was boosted as William Kennedy's mount passed the post a length and three quarters ahead of his nearest pursuer.
Sound Stage provided Somerset trainer Caroline Keevil and jockey Ian Popham with their first Cheltenham winners as he bounded up the hill to beat Qhilimar by a length and a half in the CF Roberts Electrical + Mechanical Services Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.
The 14-1 chance shadowed pacesetting River Indus and when collaring that one before the turn for home he was fully in command.