Aughnacurraveal and Pierce Gallagher © Photo Healy Racing
Young jockey Pierce Gallagher produced an excellent waiting ride to land the biggest race of the day at Kilbeggan, the Kilbeggan Patrons Hurdle.
His mount Aughnacurraveel travelled sweetly at the back of the field and crept into contention, before joining Leblon on the home turn.
Streaking clear in the home straight, the 7-1 chance was able to come home in command, scoring by three and three quarter lengths and giving trainer Thomas Cummins hope that he has a World Hurdle contender.< Cailin Annamh ran out a bloodless winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.
After Dysart Dancer faded after setting the pace, Willie Mullins' charge eventually being pulled up, Barry Geraghty could sit still on the 5-4 favourite Cailin Annamh.
Easing clear in the closing stages, she recorded a five and a half length win over Sea Rocket < Vinniespride got off the mark at the 21st attempt in all disciplines when landing the Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle.
Always prominent under Michael Butler, the 5-2 chance looked in trouble when favourite Fantasy King swept into the lead after the second last.
Butler did not panic though, and he got back up on the home turn and had enough in the tank to fend off the fast-finishing Do Na Paisti by a neck.< Alexander Leaving opened his account over fences at the first attempt in the Midland Breeders Supporting Kilbeggan Beginners Chase.
Henry de Bromhead's 2-1 winner jumped well in the main and finished well under Mark Walsh to beat Tylers Cottage by three lengths.
Davy Condon drove Formal Bid (9-4 favourite) to get up in the dying strides and deny Luimneach Abu by a head in the Moate Handicap Hurdle.< The Book Thief (20-1) came out on top in a head-bobbing finish to the Tote Mobile Betting Handicap, Philip Enright's mount winnig by a short head from Count Salazar
