Moscow Flyer is firmly on track to attempt back-to-back Champion Chase successes after getting his campaign off to a perfect start at Navan today.
Jessica Harrington's nine-year-old was not extended in making all in the Ballymore Homes Fortria Chase and is now unbeaten in 10 completed starts over fences.
Barry Geraghty looked keen to give the 3-10 favourite as comfortable a race as possible and a fine leap at the last saw him ease clear of yesterday's Down Royal scorer Glenelly Gale.
Virtually foot-perfect throughout, Moscow Flyer came home five lengths clear and now heads for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown next month.
Mrs Harrington was delighted with her star's effort. "I liked how he did it. He jumped well and shortened when asked to," she said. "He also quickened up, and I was pleased with his performance. All roads now lead to Cheltenham.
"Moscow Flyer will run in The Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown before going on to the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown."
William Hill cut Moscow Flyer to 5-2 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase from 11-4, while Coral remain unchanged at 5-2.
Much was also expected of Hardy Eustace, yet another big Irish hope for the leading jumps prizes this term.
But he fluffed his lines badly as he met with a comprehensive defeat in the Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle.
The Dessie Hughes-trained Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle hero was sent off at 1-4 to get the new campaign off to a perfect start.
But his supporters must have been feeling uneasy from some way out as Paul Carberry bowled along on Noel Meade's Rosaker (11-2).
Conor O'Dwyer pushed Hardy Eustace closer before the fifth-last, but Carberry kicked on again after that and was well in charge jumping the final three flights.
Eight lengths was the margin between them at the line as O'Dwyer accepted his fate.
The winner could now go for the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, according to the winning trainer.