Sent off 4/7 favourite for the two-mile, one-furlong Novice Chase, the six-year-old was expected to atone for a last-fence departure at Fairyhouse recently, but could manage just fifth place behind Realt Dubh, who scored by five lengths for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry.
His trainer Willie Mullins said he felt the race may have come a bit quick after the horse's run two weeks ago: "He just ran flat. He got in a bit close to the first fence on the back straight and didn't jump with confidence after that."
The 2009 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle hero went to his right over the fences almost from the start and bookmakers reacted to the performance by pushing him out to best-price 16/1 (Victor Chandler and William Hill) for the RSA Chase at the Festival. He can also be backed at best-price 20/1 (Totesport) for the Arkle Chase and best-price 33/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Gold Cup.
Realt Dubh is now a standout best-price 25/1 (William Hill) for the Arkle Chase and as short as 12/1 in places. "He jumped super and he'll come back here next month, and all going well it will be on for the Arkle at Cheltenham," said handler, Noel Meade.
Also at Leopardstown on Thursday, Hidden Universe, whose only defeat under National Hunt Rules came in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last spring, earned a best-price 16/1 (Paddy Power) quote for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with a fluent maiden hurdle success.
"He would be better suited by a stronger pace and a lead, but he is potentially a horse with a big future," commented winning trainer, Noel Meade.
Sailors Warn entered Triumph Hurdle picture when he produced a commanding performance to win the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle. Travelling by far the best of the ten runners entering the turn for home, the four-year old strolled to his first victory over hurdles and was given a best-price quote of 25/1 (Totesport) for the Triumph.
However, O'Grady was not getting carried away and revealed the Fred Winter could be an alternative Festival target. He said: "I thought before the race that if he'd finished in the first four he would make a Fred Winter horse - maybe he still is. The logical option is to come back here in February for the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle."
He is now best-price 16/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Fred Winter Novices' Chase in March.
Meanwhile, trainer Charles Byrnes has revealed that Solwit will not run in the Champion Hurdle in March. Having finished second to Hurricane Fly twice in the past month, the seven-year-old is expected to be aimed at the Aintree Hurdle in Liverpool in April instead.
Mikael D'haguenet's can now be backed at 16/1 for the RSA Chase
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