Desperado Queen, owned, bred and trained by Ardee based Bill Doran, struck a blow for 'the small man' when making all under Thomas Dreaper in the featured 2m4f mares chase.
The eight-year-old jumped superbly apart from one mistake at the second last, and stayed on well to beat Carrigeen Kalmia by five lengths.
'Thomas got her settled and jumping super. That's as firm a ground as she will run on, and it depends on the man above whether she will run again as I want her for breeding,' said Doran, who also has 'a couple of point-to-pointers'.
David Casey was seen to great effect when recording a double aboard Glenfolan and Bravery.
The Tony Martin-trained Glenfolan just got the better of Mac Robin in a thrilling finish to the handicap chase, while Bravery came from a seemingly hopeless position early in the straight to take the beginners chase.
Bravery, who dropped out of contention after four out, rallied strongly approaching the last to beat Slaney Eagle by three quarters of a length.
Tom Taaffe sent out a 1-2 in the 2m4f maiden hurdle as 5/4 favourite Baker's Bridge stayed on well under amateur Pat Collins to beat stablemate Treacle by 4 1/2L.
Taaffe missed out on the victory as he was travelling over to the breeze-up sales at Newmarket but was represented by his wife Elaine.
She said, 'Tom decided to claim off this horse as he's quite small, and it's great for Pat who rode his first winner for us in a bumper at Cork on Sunday and was having his first ride over hurdles.'
Roger Loughran partnered his second winner here this week when Kells Castle led two out in the handicap hurdle to beat Miss Kilkeel by three and a half lengths.
Muttiah appreciated the step up in distance when landing the 3m maiden hurdle under Paddy Flood, leading before the straight and keeping on grimly to hold the late flourish of Forest Leaves by 1/2L.
The Cathy Harrison-trained Best Malt (Lenny Flynn) gamely held on by a length from The Colt King in the bumper.
Racing was delayed by 16 minutes as the Turf Club doctor, John Kennedy, was late arriving.
Alan Magee
