Racing: Royal County Star recovered from a mistake at the second-last to win the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in fine style.
Robbie Colgan managed to keep the partnership intact and quickly gathered his mount to challenge at the final fence.
The 100-30 favourite, trained by Tony Martin, got alongside Gazza's Girl on the run-in and forged to the front to win by a length. Benefit Night was third and News Item fourth.
Martin said: "I got some fright at the second-last but the jockey was very good. He's been with me the last couple of years and I had no hesitation in using him. He's one of the best around."
The winner received a 25-1 quote from Hills for the John Smith's Grand National and Martin went on: "We'll take it one day at a time, we'll get him home and see how he is.
"He's got lots of options and I wouldn't like to commit him to anything just yet. He'll be in the Paddy Power and Welsh National over Christmas, but he might be doubtful if the ground was very heavy - I might just back off him for a little while."
Rathmore Castle outfought Gem Daly to come out on top by a head in the Grade Three Bank Of Ireland "Monksfield" Novice Hurdle.
The Maureen Danagher-trained five-year-old tracked his front-running rival all the way and the pair were locked together over the final two obstacles.
But it was the 11-4 favourite who just had the edge on the run to the line, although Noel Meade's runner-up lost little in defeat for such an inexperienced horse and also looks to have a future.
Danagher said: "He will probably come back here in three weeks' time for the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial, depending on how he comes out of this.
"But he's never gone on soft ground before and it could be a concern if it comes up very soft."