< Piano Star landed back-to-back renewals of the Gigginstown House Midlands National Handicap Chase on Friday evening at Kilbeggan.
The Michael Cunningham-trained nine-year-old returned to the scene of his finest hour 12 months ago to score at odds of 16-1.
Sean Flanagan's mount was spotted making breakneck progress three-quarters of a mile from home, and ghosted into contention after the second-last.
A beautiful leap at the final fence put the race to bed as Piano Star galloped strongly to the line to convincingly lower the colours of Cool Running
William Hill were suitably impressed and cut his odds from 33-1 into 16s for the Galway Plate.< Steve Capall showed a most likeable attitude to overhaul Good Thyne Diva in the dying strides of the Scanlon's Bar & Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.
Noel Meade's inmate looked to have the race in safe keeping when taking four lengths out of his closest pursuer coming to the third last, but he got a touch lonely out in front.
Good Thyne Diva stayed on stoutly under pressure and edged into the lead soon after the last but, Barry Beraghty dug deep on the 16-1 chance and he had enough in reserve to get back up in the shadow of the post.
Yvonne Dunleavy's Carheenlea justified good market support in the Tom McCormack Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle.
Second in a similar event at Punchestown in May when last seen, the Alderbrook gelding attracted late money and went off the 11-4 market leader.
Held up towards the rear of the field under John Cullen, the seven-year-old cut down Baily Storm between the final two flights and drew clear for a two and a half-length success.< Gudnis Gracious Me (8-1) broke a string of defeats when getting off the mark at the 13th time of asking over birch in the opening Dunvale Fabrications Ltd Maiden Hurdle.
Sean McDermott got a fine tune out of the John O'Shea-trained four-year-old, who made every yard and held Dawn Valentino by a commanding seven lengths.
