Leighlinbridge trainer Pat Fahy nominated Aintree next for his charge Kirmar after the six-year-old turned the Surehaul Mercedes Hurdle into a procession in the hands of Mark Madden at Clonmel yesterday.
Sent off the warm 4 to 7 favourite, he seized the initiative with over a circuit to race in the three-mile stamina test before coming home with contemptuous ease, 20 lengths clear of Somemanforoneman.
"He couldn't have done that any better. I will be entering him for the three-mile novice hurdle at Liverpool but whether I go there or not is a different story," said Fahy, after notching up his fifth success of the current campaign.
Barry Geraghty is firmly en route to his first championship success and the Meathman brought his seasonal tally to 66, with his nearest pursuer Conor O'Dwyer 11 behind, when teaming up with Edward O'Grady's Cardinal Mark in the opener.
Charlie Swan saddled Streamstown to scoop the Bank Of Ireland Novice Chase under a confident ride from Philip Carberry. "I was worried about the ground (officially good-yielding) as he needs it heavy but Philip gave him a great ride," said the former champion rider.
