Walsh masterclass from the front sees Quick Grabim rule in Royal Bond

That's why we love him. Ruby Walsh has certainly had better starts to seasons but his front-running masterclass on Quick Grabim was a timely reminder that he remains the best in the business.

Walsh weighed up the opposition and realised there was no potential pace angle among the quartet so sent Quick Grabim straight to the front, unlike at Navan last month where the sedate early pace proved his undoing. It proved a shrewd move.

The six-year-old jumped impeccably and Walsh kept enough juice in the tank to quicken clear after the second-last. The outcome was never in doubt from there on and he put three and three-quarter lengths between himself and Triplicate at the line.

The sponsors, Sky Bet, slashed Quick Grabim into 14-1 from 33-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle afterwards, while BoyleSports and Paddy Power go the same price from 25-1.

Willie Mullins was particularly impressed with Walsh's ride.

"I thought Ruby was tactically brilliant today," the winning trainer said. "He jumped out in front and saw there was no pace. We were hoping someone else might make the running, so Ruby slowed it down and then caught them on the hop. He had the horse to do it," Mullins said.

He added: "He settled nicely and Ruby had him jumping so slick and that was probably the winning of the race. Leopardstown is the obvious place to go after here. His owner missed her flight over today so I better tell her to book earlier next time."

Watch Quick Grabim give Willie Mullins an eighth Royal Bond

Walsh was keen to deflected praise from the pilot to the plane.

"He absolutely flew the second-last and landed running, I set sail and he was good and quick at the last so it was great," the winning rider said.

"Davy [Russell] was pushing me to go faster to make it more of a stamina test and I was trying to slow it down to make it more of a speed test but that's just the tactics of it."

Would he advise punters to take the 14-1 on offer for the Supreme?

"I wouldn't be telling people to take 14-1 about me getting to Cheltenham, never mind this fella getting there and winning," arrived the reply.

That weren't bad: Ruby Walsh discusses Quick Grabim's performance with Willie MuliinsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Commander Of Fleet may have trailed in last of the four runners but Gordon Elliott was certainly not deflated and is adamant the best is still to come.

Elliott said: "We knew he wanted two and a half miles, and from the last to the line he's staying on the whole way. He’s a horse for the future."

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com