Racing at Fairyhouse eventually beat the weather, although the action got under way an hour behind schedule.
A lot of the sparkle was lost when Colm Murphy withdrew Zaarito from his intended debut over jumps but the trainer still enjoyed a double.
He was on the mark when Kennel Bridge outbattled Archiestown to break through in division one of the Fairyhouse Membership 2009 Maiden Hurdle.
The 11-4 chance approached the final flight slightly behind his rival but produced a better jump and went on to score by a length.
The second division went the way of Future All Star (16-1), who took over at the last en-route to a two-and-a-half-length beating of Hampshire Express giving Murphy his brace.< Coast was sent off the 4-5 favourite for the Christmas Party At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle in Zaarito's absence and duly obliged, displaying a better turn of foot after the last than Presenting Thyne who crossed the line a length and a quarter adrift.
Andrew Lynch brought Dallaglio (8-1) with a well-timed challenge to grab the spoils in the Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle.< Saddler's Native appeared to have the race in safe keeping when shooting clear after the last, but Lynch conjured a great rally out of his mount, who stormed home to collect by a length.
Stamina won the day for Mustangsallyrally (8-1) in the Elle Cardiff Handicap Hurdle.< Francis Du Mesnil cruised up on the bridle at the penultimate flight but emptied out before the last and Mustangsallyrally stayed on admirably in the testing conditions to beat Afterburn by five and a half lengths.< Moskova took advantage of the falls of market rivals Coscorrig and Garrai Ard to land the Fairyhouseracecourse.ie Mares Novice Chase.
The even-money favourite came under threat from the spirited challenge of Brotenstown on the run-in, but Davy Russell kept her up to her work to register a one-length verdict.
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