David Casey, who warmed up his Arkle Trophy mount Native-Darrig in a post race workout, had a mixed day on the racecourse earlier.

Two successes, on Cloone Bridge in the novice chase and Rocketts Castle in the handicap chase, mixed with a fall from Mykon Gold and a one-day whip ban which rules him out of the middle day of Cheltenham.

That could mean him losing out on the ride on It's Time For A Win in the Coral Cup and Casey is considering appealing the decision.

He picked up the ban on the 14 to 1 shot Rocketts Castle, who held off Bob Treacy by the minimum margin in the Kiltiernan Chase, after giving Sue Bramall's horse a splendidly decisive ride.

The stewards decided he had used his whip with excessive frequency on Rocketts Castle, racing from 13lb out of the handicap, and banned him for one day. They took into account Casey's previously good record in this regard.

Cloone Bridge was a much easier winner, beating the favourite Sarsfield The Man by eight lengths, and setting himself up for the Irish Grand National as a long term target.

"It just shows how good Nick Dundee is," quipped trainer Charlie Swan whose charge had finished a distance behind the SunAlliance Chase favourite previously. "The Irish National is an option because he loves going right handed," he added.

The season's leading rider, Ruby Walsh, was also on the double but he had to be at his strongest to get the admirable Limestone Lad up on the line to beat the long-time leader Gentle Mossy in the Brannockstown Handicap Hurdle.

The Grand Annual Chase prospect Space Trucker ran an encouraging race in third and trainer Jessica Harrington said: "Shay (Barry) says he gave three heaves down the back but he has run on well and I'm delighted with him. I just hope the ground at Cheltenham (currently soft) dries out."

Limestone Lad again advertised the training skills of permit holder James Bowe who said: "By hook or by crook he manages to get there. I've never had a horse like him."

Walsh had a much easier time on Royal Signature in the Ballsbridge Hurdle who made all to win comfortably and will now be aimed at the Punchestown Festival.

Hobart Frisbey could only finish third to John Magical in a farcically run Firmount Flat Race but the favourite in the opener Table Five did the business in style for punters, scoring for John Kiely and Norman Williamson.