A Toi Phil followed up his course win over Christmas with a convincing win in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old had his chance boosted by the victory in the previous race of Don't Touch It, who he had back in second place that day and duly took this Grade Two over two and a half miles.
Acapella Bourgeois set the pace until three out where Bryan Cooper pushed the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding into the lead.
A superb jump at the final flight saw the 6-4 favourite hold the rallying Acapella Bourgeois by seven lengths.
Mullins said: "He's learning and maturing all the time. He was more like a racehorse today compared to his previous few runs.
"It was two and a half miles today, and I'd say he'd have no problem going out to three miles. He's a very accurate jumper and he'll be entered in all the novice hurdles at Cheltenham. He will probably go for either the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett.
"I doubt if he will run again before Cheltenham.
"I don't think he was broken in until he was four in France, so he's nearly more like a French three-year-old than a six-year-old. He's still immature."
The sponsors have put up a 25,000 euro bonus to the stable staff of the winner if he goes on to win at this year's Cheltenham Festival.