But back down to two miles and a furlong, he was able to use his finishing kick to full effect under Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden as he left long-time leader and 6-4 favourite Central House, who was denied certain victory 12 months ago when Roger Loughran mistook the winning post, toiling after the last.

It has been well documented that his handler believes he is a much better horse on testing ground, conditions that he had here, but his performance was so authoritative that the bookmakers were forced to slash his odds for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

“Following his fluent success we have cut Nickname to 14-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March,” said Charlie McCann of Bet Direct.

“With plenty of pace in the race he looks sure to have it run to suit and will be a threat to all, although his best form is with plenty of cut in the ground.”

Settled in the rear throughout the early stages, he moved up to challenge with Hi Cloy but when the rival was badly hampered by the fall of Jim at the second-last, there was only going to be one winner.

Brassil confirmed the Cheltenham race would be a target, but also mentioned a possible engagement at Ascot for the former French-trained gelding.

“They went plenty fast enough and he loves to follow horses,” said Brassil.

“He is definitely better this year.

“He’ll be entered for the Queen Mother and we’ll consider a two and a half mile race at Ascot (Ascot Chase, February 20) as well.”

Madden was seriously impressed and he is hoping to keep the ride wherever Nickname runs next.

“They went a proper gallop and that way I was able to settle him well in the rear,” he said.

“I was able to creep nearer and he jumped and travelled super and took me there in plenty of time. I didn’t need to do anything else as he jumped his way to the front.

“Once I’ve asked him to quicken up he picked up straight away and galloped all the way to the line.

“I was delighted with the pace they went up front as he is a horse that stays and he loves this type of ground.

“He jumped so well, he is a lovely sort of horse,” he told At The Races.

“I would presume it would depend on the ground whether he runs in the Queen Mother or not but Martin will see how he is and take it from there. I don’t mind where he runs though as I would love to ride him anywhere.”

It was a good day for Brassil as his Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde also made a satisfactory return to the track when staying on to finish fourth in the paddypowerpoker.com Handicap Hurdle.

Settled in the rear early on by Madden, he gradually made progress round the outside of the 21-runner field, although he never looked like getting seriously competitive.

The race was won in grand style by the Dessie Hughes-trained Dosco (9-4 favourite), winning for the second time in four days. Livingstonebramble claimed second, with Kylegarra Lady third.

Michael O’Brien unearthed another smart prospect in the shape of De Valira, who lowered the colours of the highly-touted Edward O’Grady runner Catch Me in the Grade Two paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

With In Compliance taking up a prominent position at the head of the Gold Cup betting, O’Brien now has the 8-1 joint favourite with Stan James for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

When Barry Geraghty sent Catch Me to the front on the turn into the straight, the race looked to be going to plan for the even-money favourite.

However, a brief look over his shoulder showed him that Andrew Lynch was travelling just as easy on the 3-1 shot.

Despite stepping at the last flight, he did not lose too much momentum and managed to battle back for a neck victory, with nine lengths back to the third, Sizing Europe.

Denis Cullen, assistant trainer to O’Brien, said: “He’s a horse we’ve held in very high regard for a long time and he is starting to fulfil his potential now.

“I’m not sure of the plans at the moment – he will definitely be going to Cheltenham but I’m not sure if he’ll run beforehand.”

Cane Brake (14-1) followed up his success in the Troytown Chase with a fantastic weight-carrying performance in the Paddy Power Chase.

Anchored with 11st 12lb in testing conditions, he was assisted by the 7lb claim of his rider, Adrian Joyce, who was riding the biggest winner of his career.

Ballistraw finished a gallant second, half a length in arrears.

Cheeky Lady (50-1) stayed on for third, with Arthur Moore’s Well Tutored (10-1) running into fourth.

The luckless 6-1 favourite Sher Beau was hampered numerous times by fallers and eventually unshipped Madden at the second-last.