Racing: Ruby Walsh warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival with a treble at Thurles, highlighted by Cooldine's victory in the Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle.
Willie Mullins' six-year-old is still engaged in two races at the showpiece meeting next week but despite this easy victory, he is set to sidestep the event.
The Grade Two event had always been his target and he was winning his fourth successive race as the 6-4 favourite.
It was not a surprise to many as he had worked well with a handful of his stablemates after racing at Leopardstown at the weekend.
"He worked on Sunday and he appeared to work very well so it is nice that he has confirmed that," said Mullins. "Cheltenham was never a serious option this year. This race was always the plan and it has been the plan for most of the season. The conditions suited him perfectly.
"We'll be looking at Fairyhouse and Punchestown now, he'll be entered for all hurdle races over extended distances, both for novices and in open company.
"This looks to be his minimum trip so it will be anything from two and a half miles up.
"He'll be going chasing next season. He has a real eye for it."
Mullins and Walsh also combined for Dooneys Gate (3-1 favourite) in the Ballycahill (C & G) Beginners Chase, while the rider also won on Kenah Hill (15-2) for Eric McNamara.
However, the duo did have some short price reverses as Candy Girl (evens, second), Alexander Taipan (7-4 favourite, second), Rosy Cyborg (2-7 favourite, second) and Shady Willow (11-8 favourite, unplaced) were all turned over.
Charles Byrnes' Cailin Alainn (7-2), a dual Grade One-winning novice chaser last season returned to the winner's enclosure for the first time in over a year in the Cashel Fine Art Chase.
The nine-year-old mare suffered two nasty falls at Cheltenham last season and then struck into herself at Galway.
Byrnes said: "The mare has had a rough time and only came back to herself about three weeks ago.
"She's entered in the Irish National but I'm not sure she'll stay the trip and it could be more likely that she'll go for a suitable race at Punchestown.
"It's possible we'll bring her back over hurdles as she does look well handicapped over them."