Racing:Solwhit's credentials were proven at Leopardstown this afternoon after claiming victory in the Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle, while An Cathaoir Mor registered a dramatic success as he came from well off the pace to win the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.
Celestial Halo set out to make all under Ruby Walsh but could only finish fourth and was one of the first of the principals to crack as Sublimity went on at the third-last, seemingly full of running on ground soft enough for him.
Solwhit was niggled along by Davy Russell turning for home but was soon right on Sublimity's heels, jumping the last in front and well in command.
The Charles Byrnes-trained 5-6 favourite ran on strongly for a four-and-a-half-length success over Donnas Palm, who edged the gallant Sublimity for second.
An Cathaoir Mor registered a dramatic success in the Arkle Novice Chase. After Zaarito crashed out at the third fence in the Grade One heat, it looked as though the race was between just three runners, with Major Finnegan, Take The Breeze and 2-1 favourite Sports Line dominating the early stages.
The trio were still fully 10 lengths clear when Sports Line hit the front for Ruby Walsh at the third-last fence, with An Cathaoir Mor back in fourth under David Casey.
However, the complexion of the race changed in the straight as Casey made stealthy headway on the Henry de Bromhead-trained 7-1 shot.
Coming down to the last, An Cathaoir Mor had made up the deficit and was still full of running in second as Sports Line began to toil and the other pair faded out of contention.
It was left to An Cathaoir Mor to shade out the favourite in the shadow of the post, going a length and a quarter clear at the finish.
Sky Bet introduced the winner at 16-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham and pushed Sports Line out to 20-1 from 14s.
Their spokesman Michael Shinners said: "An Cathaoir Mor looks an improver but he was beaten five lengths by Captain Cee Bee at Naas last month and we've trimmed Edward Harty's horse to 9-2 from 5s for the Arkle at Cheltenham."
De Bromhead, whose yard also houses leading Arkle hope Sizing Europe, said: "That was some ride, we took a chance running him so soon after last week.
"It's never easy watching him as he has to come late. David said last week that he was having to pull him back at every fence, and he would love to ride him in a real fast-run race, which is why we ran him today.
"I wouldn't be sure about Cheltenham, as he loves this bottomless ground."
Willie Mullins added of Sports Line: "He has picked up some valuable experience there, jumping at real speed.
"A race like that will have done him the world of good.
"It was only his second run over fences and it was a good performance.
"I don't know if he will run again before Cheltenham, but the Arkle is definitely the plan."