Eklat De Rire put himself in the Cheltenham Festival picture with a fine display in the Grade Three Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase.
All eyes were on Henry de Bromhead's charge following his impressive chasing debut success at Punchestown and he barely put a foot wrong here, producing a flawless round of jumping before comfortably holding Escaria Ten on the run-in.
Jockey Rachael Blackmore, who was riding her second winner of the afternoon following the earlier victory of Mr Incredible in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, was keen to ensure the race was run on her terms and she still cut a confident figure as the chasing pack stacked up in behind turning for home.
Pencilfulloflead was the first of the three market leaders to crack when Eklat De Rire kicked again entering the home straight, and though he plugged on in vain back in third, it was Escaria Ten who laid down the final challenge to the 11/4 winner, threatening to make a real race of it when closing approaching the final fence.
However, Eklat De Rire produced another terrific leap and though Escaria Ten came for one final crack late on, Blackmore was never too animated as she nudged her mount out to record a one and three quarter-length success.
Sky Bet reacted by cutting Eklat De Rire to 12/1 from 14/1 for the Festival Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Eklat De Rire is also entered in the National Hunt Chase, and his trainer said: “He was deadly and is improving all the time. I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“He handles an ease in the ground well. He’s a big heavy topped fella – and while we have never run him on it, I’d say he wouldn’t want the ground too good.
“I’ll have to speak to the owners, but we said if today went well we would aim for the Festival Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. He stays well and he jumps well. He was impressive there and I’d say he deserves his chance after that."
De Bromhead added of Mr Incredible: “He’s a lovely big chasing prospect, still a big baby and very raw.
“Colin Bowe recommended him to us, and I’m delighted to have him.”