Less than 48 hours on from the disappointment of Kemboy's Gold Cup departure, the Supreme Horse Racing Club gained a form of compensation when Robin De Carlow struck at Limerick.
Willie Mullins' mare moved powerfully throughout the Grade Three Kerry Group Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle, but in the end had to fight hard for a nose verdict over Well Set Up.
The 11/2 chance was returning to her best after a couple of modest runs and gave Ruby Walsh a winner with his only ride on the card.
Walsh said: "She jumped and travelled super, but it was very hard in that headwind and when she got to the front she just pulled up.
"I couldn't have gone much faster through the race and I was just hunting away and it was great to win as black type for these mares in very important - I was aiming for third and anything after that was a bonus.
"She jumped the last two very well, which was hugely important, and I was really impressed with her as I thought she'd struggle on the ground."
Walsh is due to be aboard Cadmium in the same colours in Monday, as the seven-year-old lines up in the feature at Navan, the Toals.com Webster Cup Chase.
🐎 After a perfect start, it was a rough Cheltenham Festival for Ruby Walsh
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) March 17, 2019
🏆 And it was also a difficult one for the Supreme Horse Racing Club, whose Gold Cup hope Kemboy came down at the first
👏 Robin De Carlow softened the blow at Limerickpic.twitter.com/U7oATSsXyv
Soon after, it was a double for Mullins as Carefully Selected obliged at odds of 1/3 in the 63 Hospitality Packages At Limerick Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by title-chasing Paul Townend, who was aboard Al Boum Photo as Mullins won his first Gold Cup on Friday, the seven-year-old held off Lord Schnitzel by three-parts of a length.
Townend said: "It is so long since he ran that he will come on plenty for it, he is a chaser in the making and has always shown that.
"Anything he does over hurdles will be a bonus before that and he stays very well."
Later on the card, Philip Reynolds, owner of beaten Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy, was left frustrated as Mall Dini finished second in the Book Online At www.limerickraces.ie Beginners Chase.
Sent off an odds-on favourite despite remaining a maiden over fences after 13 previous attempts, the nine-year-old stayed on well without ever looking like getting to the winner, Thosedaysaregone, with the drop back in trip working against him.
Mall Dini is entered in the Randox Health Grand National and could be seen next at Aintree.
