Probably the easiest way to get a good finish on holes of this size is to use a broad 3" or 4" flexible filling knife, held at an angle to the surface whilst smoothing the filler. If filling large holes they should be filled in stages, allowing intermediate layers to set before filling again. Dampen the filler once it starts to go off to allow you to trowel it again. In such a situation i would prefer to use a plasterer's finishing trowel and gypsum pinnacle skimcoat, where large holes are concerned. With gypsum you can keep wetting it and trowelling it to achieve the best surface finish- but this is a technique that has to be learned. When finished use an abrasive sponge block and sand in an rbital fashion, checking the surface regularly with palm of your hand.