It was one blow after another for punters at Thurles as a Jackpot rollover that swelled to E7,406 was not won and is carried over to the Curragh on Saturday.
Eddie Hales, without a winner since Shuilan triumphed at Limerick last January, had his first victory on the level when Public Reaction caused a surprise in the October Race.
Now Tipperary-based, Hales charge (16/1, paid E71.00 on the tote), got the better of a protracted struggle with Impersonator up the straight.
Favourite Kinger Rocks (9/4 into 7/4) could make little impression in third whilst the returning Mariah Rollins finished seventh after travelling well to the half mile pole.
Clare MacMahon and her partner Gordon Elliott sent out seven point-to-point winners from their base at Kilmessan, Co. Meath during the 2004/05 season.
Champion lady rider between the flags, MacMahon registered her initial win under Rules when Brandon Mountain captured the juvenile maiden hurdle.
Leading three out under Robbie McNally, the ex-Ken Condon-trained gelding was all out to hold off Dreux by a neck.
Pat Martin is showing up prominently in the trainer standings, the Navan-based handler moving on to the fourteen winner mark courtesy of Sinn Time in the opener.
After showing big improvement to finish second over seven furlongs on her latest start, the daughter of Key Of Luck appreciated the mile trip here, getting on top 100 yards out under Michael Hussey.
The other divide of the apprentice handicap went to a rider in form, Shane Gorey. Twice successful on Borrismore Lass in the past fortnight, Gorey teamed up in this with Michael Grassick.
Aboard handicap first-timer, Little Nymph, the combination done well to take over close home to beat Apple Wood (ridden clear early straight and looked a likely winner), by three parts of a length.
Many appeared to have chances in the mile maiden, Joe Crowleys Nevada Range assuming the mantle of favourite at 3/1. However Joes daughter Frances provided the answer with Cheyenne Star.
This newcomer, a 10/1 shot, stayed on strongly in the closing stages to lead over 100 yards from the finish in the hands of Declan McDonogh, outpacing the market-leader in the process.
If that event were open, the other maiden was even more so, the layers going 5/1 the field, and there was a shock as Steve Mahons Impartial prevailed under Colm ODonoghue at 16/1.
On a particularly profitable day for horses trained in the Royal County, Mahon completed a 220/1 double with the generously-priced Le Caro in the handicap hurdle.
A third win in the past week for jockey Paddy Flood, the German-bred held on by the minimum margin from Champion Gold after leading before the third last.
Action concluded with a 20/1 win for the Conor ODwyer-ridden, Co. Westmeath-trained Carrick Dante.
