Asterion Forlonge (4/1) was a clear-cut winner of the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins' charge was maintaining his unbeaten record and duelled with 5/4 favourite Easywork from the start.
The grey had mastered that rival turning in and nothing else could land a blow, Danny Mullins' mount coming home nine-and-a-half lengths clear of his rivals.
Mt Leinster, a stablemate of the winner, was third, a further four lengths adrift.
The sponsors cut the winner to 5/1 from 16s for Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "That was an impressive performance. Obviously the owner has Shishkin in the frame for the Sky Bet Supreme too but clearly this fellow will be a major player wherever he turns up in March."
🏇 Is this Willie Mullins' @SkyBet Supreme horse?
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) February 2, 2020
Asterion Forlonge maintains his unbeaten record with this clear-cut Grade One success @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/ryA0oI11GY
Mullins said: "It surprised me and I'm delighted. I had him down as a two-mile-six or three-mile horse. The last day he won at Naas was a mile-and-seven. I had a three-mile horse down in Cork and he got beaten, so I said to myself, 'now I've this fella in the wrong race over two'.
"It looks like I'm wrong and he's a two-miler. He has a huge cruising speed and I said to Danny, 'go out and make the running, you're not making it for our other two, you're making it for yourself so try to get the fractions right'.
"He's never fast at home, but he obviously covers a huge amount of ground and can keep that gallop up for two miles flat out. He looked like he could be a Supreme (Novices' Hurdle) horse and that was the furthest thing from my mind three weeks ago.
"We'll see what happens. I think this fella can stay, I think he's easy enough to ride. I always had him down as a stayer. If the owner has something else for the Supreme we can chat it out."
The winning rider said: "It was a proper performance. We went an even gallop and picked up well in the straight. In fairness to Dermot (Keeling) who looks after him, and looked after Champagne Fever before, he said he reminded him of Champagne Fever.
"We'll need to step up to get to his level, but that was good and hopefully he'll keep improving."
