COTSWOLD-based Irish Grand National winner Shutthefrontdoor made an impressive return to action at Carlisle.

With jockey Tony McCoy sidelined, the seven-year-old was reunited with Barry Geraghty, who was on board for his finest hour at Fairyhouse.

Temple Guiting trainer Jonjo O’Neill’s 2-1 chance travelled well throughout in the Weatherbys Bank Graduation Chase.

Second-placed Vintage Star, the race winner 12 months ago, and the favourite Mickie pressed on rounding the turn for home.

But Shutthefrontdoor eased through and cruised home by eight lengths.

In Geraghty’s first visit to Carlisle, he was also successful on O’Neill’s Bronco Billy (5-2) in the closing bumper.

Shutthefrontdoor runs in the colours of JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said: “He jumped great and that will have done his confidence the world of good.

“Another pleasing thing was the way he handled the testing conditions — he’s a horse with plenty of options.”

Shutthefrontdoor is a new 20-1 favourite for the 2015 Crabbie’s Grand National.

There is also a 33-1 quote for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Meanwhile, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Mad Moose could return on Sunday at Cheltenham’s Shloer Chase. The British Horseracing Authority have lifted his suspension from racing.

The 10-year-old’s habit of refusing to race led to the BHA banning connections from making entries for the Naunton-trained gelding in January.

Twiston-Davies said: “I’m very pleased. He’s going well at home.

“I just need to get him fit enough and he’ll be ready to go.”

The handler enjoyed a double weekend victory at Ffos Las through Belmount (3-1) and Riddleofthesands (10-3) under jockey Ryan Hatch.

Stow-on-the-Wold trainer David Bridgwater won at Fontwell with Dont Do Mondays (11-2) and jockey Tom Scudamore.