Impressive Bythesametoken looks set to give O'Sullivan a good spring

Tuesday: Down Royal

He only has two chase starts under his belt, but useful handicap hurdler Bythesametoken already looks as though he is going to be even better over fences after a taking success in the rated novice chase at Down Royal's opening fixture of the year.

The mare Delvino, giving weight all round, came there travelling like a winner before the second-last, but she was being stalked all the while by Conor Orr on Bythesametoken, who quickened up well and scooted clear from the final fence to score by a cosy length and a quarter.

The winner runs in the colours of the Downtown Syndicate, set up some years ago by late trainer and Galway publican John Monroe, and a trip to Ballybrit at the end of July is likely to be forefront in their minds. There is plenty to look forward to before then, however.

Winning trainer Ross O'Sullivan said: "He learned a lot from the first day at Fairyhouse. I was very happy with him at home. Even though it was a quick turnaround he was so fresh that we said we had to give it a go because it is hard to find those rated novice chases and you are nearly pushed into it."

"Conor said he was very quick over his fences. He is a horse who is always ridden patiently and should improve. There are a couple of those rated novice chases coming up that will take him into March."

McLoughlin shows Midas touch

With just one win from 24 starts coming into this, it would have been difficult to be overly confident about the prospects of Two Shoe Tom in the mares' handicap hurdle. However, having her fifth start for trainer Dermot McLoughlin, she produced a convincing performance to make one wonder why she has not won more often and indeed why she should not score again.

She was ridden with plenty of confidence by Conor Maxwell to account for Cool Rain and last week's Punchestown winner Bonnie Kellie, and McLoughlin will be hoping that it may persuade her owners not to send her to the sales next week.

Asked if this victory was a pleasant surprise, he said: "No. She ran well at Navan on Saturday, she came out of that well and got a bit of confidence, so we decided to come here because she is supposed to be going to the sales next week. Hopefully the owners might think again because looking at that you would think she could win again."

Richie Condon unsaddles after winning on History Of FashionCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Condon back among winners

Jockey Richie Condon, who gained a memorable success on Heaven Help Us in last year's Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, was back among the winners when partnering History Of Fashion to an eight-length success in the 3m handicap chase.

It was Condon's first success on just his second ride since returning from injury at Thurles on Sunday. The Pat Fahy-trained winner is likely to take in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown next month.

Results, replays and analysis

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.