Victory in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel earned earned Shantreusse a place in Henry de Bromhead's raiding party for the Cheltenham Festival.
The Grade 3 race in Ireland has produced several notable performers in recent years, including De Bromhead's 2017 winner Monalee and his Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning stablemate Minella Indo, who found only Allaho too strong three years ago.
A run away 17-length winner on his first start at Cork last month was followed by the five length win at Clonmel, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz in which De Bromhead's runner ran like one.
De Bromhead said: "He is obviously a real stayer, loved that ground and jumps great. Rachael was brilliant on him and he is a real chaser in the making.
"It turned into a sprint and I thought we were going to struggle, but suddenly he had loads left jumping the last.
"I'm delighted for his owner Tony (Head) and his supporters and while I haven't spoken to Tony yet, if the boys have anything to do with it he'll run at Cheltenham!"
He added: "We have a good record in this and it is a good prep for the Albert Bartlett. He is really exciting and as long as it's good Festival ground, I think we'll be OK."
Another Clonmel winner with Cheltenham aspirations is Hors Piste, who justified 8-13 favouritism in the Surehaul Race Day Mares Maiden Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

A narrow second on her Irish debut at Tramore, the French import went one better with a 16-length victory, setting up a possible appearance in the mares' novices' hurdle at Prestbury Park in March.

"She raced more efficiently today as she was a shade keen in Tramore. The stronger gallop today suited her and I think she improved for her Tramore run as well," said Townend.
"She jumps really well and she is smart. If she was to run in the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham, you'd imagine she would have to go straight there at this stage.
"It is heavy out there today so we'll see what it takes out of her, but she did it nicely."