The very exciting Prince De Beauchene jumped crisply for Paul Townend en route to an eyecatching success in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Willie Mullins' charge, sent to post the warm-order 11-10 favourite, hit the front a couple from home and last year's champion jockey merely had to shake up the Graham Wylie-owned nine-year-old after the last to go on and score by six lengths from the returning Black Apalachi, who ran a fine race on his return from 686 days off the track.
The County Carlow handler said: "He showed a nice bit of improvement from Navan and I'd imagine he will go on to Aintree now for the National.
"He'll like the better ground judging by the size of his feet. He did everything nicely and I hope there will be more improvement to come from him."