Paul Nicholls boosted his prospects of an unprecedented victory in the Irish trainers' championship as Kauto Star and Noland both won at Down Royal.

The Somerset man dominates the scene back home but fancies breaking new ground across the water and plans to have plenty more runners in the big races.

With the Munster National and Galway Plate already in the bag, Nicholls was cut to 7-4 behind 5-4 favourite Willie Mullins in William Hill's title betting as Kauto Star strolled home by 11 lengths in the JNwine.com Champion Chase.

Although he lost his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown to stablemate Denman in March, there seemed little evidence of any decline on his first outing since his narrow follow-up defeat to Our Vic at Aintree and anyone who backed the 2-5 favourite knew their money was safe throughout.

"He was just awesome today," said Nicholls.

"We put a noseband on just because I think it helps him concentrate at his fences and he has not taken anything out of himself today. Hopefully it is onwards and upwards for the Betfair Chase in three weeks' time (at Haydock).

"Then there is a month to the King George and he will not run again until the Gold Cup as we want to keep him fresh and well."

The Listener (3-1) made a shocking error four from home and trailed home last of the four finishers while 50-1 outsider Light On The Broom pinched second prize from Knight Legend.

Ruby Walsh then steered Noland (6-4 favourite) to a 12-length triumph in the Killultagh Properties Ltd Chase.

The former winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle did not quite live up to his billing in his first year over fences despite a third place finish in the Arkle but he looked a different proposition here.

"He'd been having problems with his breathing but we sorted that out and it looks like he's improved," added Nicholls.

"He might go for the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon now and the Ryanair would look like the race for him in the spring."

Walsh later notched a treble as Tony Martin's 3-1 favourite Ross Accord was eased right down to take the Rainbow Telecom Handicap Chase.

The More Busted Sofa's Syndicate celebrated Sarteano's clear-cut victory in the A.Bartlett & Sons (Airdrie) Ltd Maiden Hurdle as if it were the Cheltenham Festival.

"The lads have always wanted a winner here, so that's me off the hook!," said trainer Dessie Hughes of the 3-1 shot.

Imaalhall (10-1) got the measure of Rocheford Bridge by three-quarters of a length in a grim struggle for the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle while Robbie Colgan dictated from the front aboard Sole Bonne Femme (14-1) in the William Ewart Properties Handicap Hurdle.

Patrick Mullins landed the odds on 11-8 favourite Rhyl Accord in the Lough Developments Ltd Flat Race.