His win and place earnings in Britain now total nearly £2.3m (€3.4m), with Nicholls having provided him with 66 of his 71 successes in Britain.

Nicholls said: “I think Ruby needs only nine winners to make it 200 in Ireland and Britain this season, that is not bad going is it?”

The day got off to a good start for the pair as Otto Des Pictons ran out a convincing winner of the Dawn Construction ’National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle

The five-year-old went to the front at the fifth fence in the extended three-mile test and, making the rest of the running, came home with 17 lengths to spare over Ice Tea.

Nicholls said: “He will be put away and will come back chasing in the autumn. He may not be a star, but he will win his share of races over fences if we are sensible with him.”

Petit Lord opened his own account in the Serendipity Interactive Handicap Hurdle, leading going well two out and keeping on from the last to hold Russian Sky at bay by three and a half lengths.

Nicholls said: “He is another horse who will go over fences and I think he will make a nice staying chaser.”

Walsh was cautioned for careless riding on the home turn where Petit Lord interfered with Kidithou.

Ange De Villez was even-money favourite to complete a quick double for Nicholls and Walsh immediately after Otto Des Pictons in the Gary Thomson Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase.

But the gelding blundered badly at the fifth fence and gave his jockey no chance of staying on board.

The Sue Smith-trained Sparkling Taff, ridden by David O’Meara, made all the running and the line came just in time for him as he held Insurgent by a short head.

Timmy Murphy, who rode Insurgent, was cautioned for “using his whip without giving his mount time to respond”.

The Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase went the way of Ferdy Murphy’s ultra-consistent Three Mirrors (7-2) in the hands of conditional PJ McDonald.

Murphy said: “This horse has done us proud this season and he has done enough now.

“It has been a good season, we have a lot of nice horses coming through and we have a good bunch of lads to ride them.”

Permit holder Michael Dun pulled off a fine piece of training to produce 16-1 chance River Alder fit and ready to win the Coral Mares’ Only Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Peter Buchanan.

The daughter of Alderbrook was having her first run since June last year, with Dun having had her ready to go novice chasing at Kelso early in March when her saddle slipped and she broke loose at home and suffered some serious injuries.

Dun said: “I thought we were going to lose her so it is great to see her come back and win. I told Peter this morning that she was really well.”

Nicky Richards struck with his only runner when Prince Among Men, carrying the colours of Dr Kenneth S Fraser, came out best in the West Sound Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Richards said: “Brian Harding said the ground was not as quick as we had been led to expect. Dr Fraser was a great friend of my father and it is good to saddle another winner for him.”