Charlie Swan saddled his biggest winner as a trainer when One Cool Cookie made all to claim the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
David Casey's mount showed great determination to hold Schindlers Hunt at bay by a length-and-a-half in the Grade 1 contest.
The 5/2 favourite loomed up before the third last but slightly stumbled on landing and was soon at work. He could find no extra on the run-in as One Cool Cookie kept on doggedly.
'He would have been some certainty in the National off 10 stone!' said Swan afterwards. 'I have to congratulate Mike (O'Leary) as I wanted to go for the Irish National but he said that he was only a novice and to keep him to novice company.'
'He could go for the three-mile race at Punchestown (Guinness Gold Cup) although he seems to run better with big gaps between his races.
'I was just hoping that he would run well and was waiting for them to come from behind. I knew he would stay but I just thought the other horse might have more class.'
Aitmatov quickened up in impressive fashion to claim the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Festival Novice Hurdle.
Paul Carberry was partnering his first winner since returning from injury and didn't have to exert himself.
The 9/4f hit the lead on touching down at the second last and quickly went clear for a five-and-a-half-length verdict over Davorin in the Grade 2 contest.
'I felt the ground was to blame at Navan last time and not the trip,' said Meade, who was recording his 100th winner of the season. 'He quickened up very well today and obviously showed that he goes on that ground.
'I always thought he was a fair horse. He'll probably go for the 2m4f race at Punchestown now. If the ground was like that Aran Concerto would be highly unlikely to run.'
Grangeclare Lark just held the late lunge of Shuil Aris to land the Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final.
Roger Loughran had swooped into the lead before the last on the daughter of Old Vic but she had to battle hard close home to repel Paul Nolan's charge by the narrowest of margins in the Grade 3 contest.
'That was good - we're very happy and that was the plan,' said trainer Dessie Hughes. 'It was very very heavy at Cork and you can forgive her for that.
'She was giving all those horses weight and it was a great performance. We'll go for to Punchestown for the mares race. We purposely kept her since her last run so she could take in the two races.'
It was a memorable day for promising amateur Robbie McNamara, who partnered a double courtesy of Bobs Pride and Sizing Africa.
Bobs Pride was produced with a well-timed run to lead at the last and claim the Aramark Novice Handicap Hurdle in good style for Dermot Weld.
Sizing Africa made up for connections disappointment at not getting a run at Cheltenham when recording a cosy success in the concluding bumper. Trainer Henry de Bromhead may consider Punchestown for the winner.
