Battleoverdoyen is solid rather than spectacular as RSA hope takes Florida Pearl

It may not have been a flashy performance to send punters rushing to back him for the RSA Novices' Chase but Battleoverdoyen confirmed he is a high-class prospect with a workmanlike victory in the Grade 2 Liam & Valerie Brennan Memorial Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown.

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old, who appears to relish jumping, wasn't helped by having to bypass the trio of fences down the back but responded well to Davy Russell's urgings to pass Any Second Now after coming close in the air to that rival two fences from home.

Unbeaten in all bar his Ballymore Novices' Hurdle disappointment at last season's Cheltenham Festival, the Gigginstown-owned performer shaped as though stepping up to three miles will see him in a better light, appearing to idle on the run-in over this 2m6½f trip.

"I think he wants three miles and as much jumping as you can get," said the winning trainer.

"It was a nice performance. The runner-up Any Second Now has loads of experience, is rated 150 and is a Cheltenham Festival winner."

Elliott added: "I don't think he did a lot when he got to the front, he almost pulled up a little bit when he got there. He's a big chaser, a fine, good looking horse. With a horse like him, you'd prefer to have the fences in but he couldn't do much more than he did."

Battleoverdoyen's five-length success as 2-5 favourite saw Davy Russell return to winning ways in the maroon and white of Gigginstown House Stud, with an apparent rift between the top-notch rider and leading owners appearing to have been resolved.

Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power shortened the Grade 1-winning novice hurdler of last season to 8-1 from 12-1 for the RSA Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott plans on stepping Battleoverdoyen up in trip at the Leopardstown Christmas festival, with the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase on December 29 a likely option.

The trainer explained: "He's entered in the Drinmore but I'd say that will come too soon, so I'd imagine Leopardstown over three miles at Christmas will be the plan."

He added of his Fairyhouse squad: "Samcro and something else can run in the Drinmore, Champagne Classic probably wants three miles."

The aforementioned Kim Muir hero Any Second Now, trained by Ted Walsh, took a sizeable step forward from his below-par return to action at Cork a fortnight earlier to run a gallant race in second. The Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown next month will be his next target.

The 146-rated Ex Patriot produced a creditable showing for Ellmarie Holden and Derek O'Connor in third.

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