Raised 12Ibs in the ratings for impressively getting off the mark over flights at Navan last time, Wins Now continued on an upward curve in the featured McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle.
Both the winner and Franklins Trail competed in that excellent maiden hurdle won by De Valira at Fairyhouse last month.
Wins Now was finding no extra in fourth when falling at the last there and Franklins Trail was left to take that placing then. They dominated the betting at 5/4 and 7/4 respectively here.
However there was no arguing as to which was superior out on the track. Leading before the last for Niall Slippers' Madden, the J P McManus-owned 6yo went on to beat his big market rival by 2L.
Trainer Niall Boots' Madden said afterwards, the ground was a bit dead for him. He likes it a bit looser. There are plenty of good novice races at home for him.'
Pat O'Connor was among the winners at Limerick over Christmas and at Dromahane point-to-point on Monday and his luck rubbed off on Ken Whelan in division one of the maiden hurdle.
The first two in the betting for this, Monoceros and Cobham both fell when in front. Monoceros three out and Cobham at the last with the race seemingly at his mercy.
Their misfortune left Lady Elite, who was hampered at the final flight, to come home 8L in front under Whelan.
The Waterford pilot was registering his first win since Maristania scored at Tramore on New Year's Day in 2006. Lady Elite was returned at 33/1 (E64.10 on Tote) despite holding very useful point-to-point form.
With her third trainer since making her debut about three years ago, Sarah Tansy caused another shock, at 25/1, when losing her maiden tag at the twelfth attempt in the mares h'cap hurdle.
In first time cheek-pieces, Dusty Sheehy's Eagle Eyed 8yo got the better of a battle with Derrygowna Court from before the last, going on to triumph by 2 1/2L.
Sean Flanagan (18) from New Ross in Co. Wexford was enjoying his third winner on this one. He works for Sheehy in nearby Graigenamanagh and he will soon turn professional.
Significant, a half-brother to Coronation Stakes winner, Kissing Cousin and that smart performer, Apprehension, was the one for money in the opener (9/2 in the morning into a returned 100/30).
A Gowran maiden winner himself on his debut when with John Oxx, this son of Josr Algarhoud realised E80,000 when changing stables at the Goffs Autumn Sales in 2005.
Now with Michael O'Brien, Andrew Lynch did the steering here, and leading before the last, Significant drew away to beat his fellow market-leader, Slash And Burn by 3L.
Amateur rider, Martin Fitzgerald from Killeagh, saddled his first winner under Rules as a trainer, when Jennys Oscar took the maiden hurdle under Davy Russell.
Dancing Tornado, a course and distance winner 27 days ago, followed up in the bumper for the Keane family of Bernie, Maurice and Alan from Fermoy.
Alan was in the plate and the chestnut was providing him with his second winner having got him off the mark when victorious here in December.
