Paul Carberry made the afternoon dash back from Haydock worthwhile by completing a short-priced double in the opening two races on the Noel Meade-trained pair Iktitaf and Yarra Maguire.
The former champion finished second aboard Definate Spectacle in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock (1.50pm), and just made it back to Kilbeggan ahead of the weighing out time for the opener at 5.30.
Iktitaf was sent off the 8/11 fav for the 4yo maiden hurdle, and appeared to be travelling much the better when joining Mount Grace after the second last flight.
However Carberry needed to get more serious in the straight to prevail by 3/4L, with the gambled-on Jomacomi (8/1-4/1) from the Charles Byrnes yard staying on well in third.
'It was worth the rush. Paul told me he literally ran off the track in Haydock and was in a taxi in a couple of minutes, and got a helicopter here from Dublin airport,' related Meade.
Meade added, 'Iktitaf had a good blow after that. He fell apart when we gelded him, and the plan is give him a break now and bring him back later in the year.'
The Carberry/Meade alliance clicked again half-an-hour later in the other maiden hurdle on the card, with the Meath rider oozing confidence as his mount cruised to the front at the last for a facile 4L verdict over In Technicolor.
'I was disappointed with him in a couple of bumpers but I think the ground was too heavy. He's a brother to Dizzy's Dream, and we'll probably keep him going,' said Meade.
Favourite backers were again on the mark in the following three miles handicap hurdle as Regal Son, available at 11/2 in the morning and backed down to 3/1, scored in fine style.
Davy Russell's mount shot clear before the second last, and he could afford to take it easy in the straight to beat Market Mariner by seven lengths.
'We needed that as the horses have been sick and are only coming back now. This is a summer horse, and he'll probably jump a fence fairly soon,' said successful trainer Pat Doyle.
Dublin Hunter (2/1fav) proved another hit with the punters when making all under Roger Loughran in the 3m1f handicap chase, staying on strongly from the last to beat The Real Solara by 10L.
'He just got away with the ground today, and we'll put him away now. He's improving and will go for the long distance chases again next season,' said trainer Dessie Hughes.
Laetitia, a controversial runner-up to stable-companion Alpha Royale at Cork when rider Michael Purcell was fined e2,000 for alleged insufficent effort and the horse banned for 50 days, won the bumper.
Loughran completed his first ever double on the heavily backed evens fav but only after a stewards enquiry as she edged left early in the straight.
The mare was only allowed to run here as the owner Mary Hayes is appealing the suspension of the five-year-old, which is due to be heard on Wednesday.
The 2m4f beginners chase was a good quality event but Fairwood Present ran his rivals ragged from the front with an exhibition of jumping under John Cullen to beat Church Island by 20L.
'John said he was a bit keen early so he decided to let him on. I think he will be a bit short of the top novices so he could run in a handicap sooner rather than later,' said trainer Philip Rothwell.
Local trainer Cecil Ross was on the scoresheet when Never Say No led three out in the 2m3f handicap hurdle, and kept on gamely under Shane McCann to beat Dunguaire Lady by 2L.
Alan Magee
