Bishopsfurze jumps a hurdle in front of Becauseicouldntsee (partially hidden) & Folsom Blue© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins dominated proceedings at Thurles with a treble on the card, topped with Bishopsfurze s all-the-way win in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle.
Always travelling sweetly for David Casey, the 4-1 chance had seen off all bar Folsom Blue at the final flight.
Bishopsfurze got away from the hurdle fastest and kept on strongly to secure a two-length success.
Mullins got off the mark for the day with a bloodless victory for Annie Power in the Thurles Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The 1-2 favourite tracked the pacesetting Dubh Go Leir throughout the early stages of the race before taking over on the far turn, and under a motionless Patrick Mullins, she pulled 13 lengths clear by the finish.
Mullins saddled the first two home in the Munster (C & G) Maiden Hurdle as Touch The Eden struck after a lengthy layoff, beating stablemate Raise Hell
The 4-7 winner holds a Grade One entry and looked accomplished on his hurdling debut, coming nicely clear in the closing stages under Paul Townend to record a seven and a half-length verdict.
Odds-on favourite backers had earlier enjoyed more success when 2-5 chance Ally Cascade got up late to land the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.
The Mullins-trained Urano looked to have the edge approaching the final flight, but Noel Meade's charge responded well to Davy Russell's urgings to win by half a length.
Russell bagged a double of his own when galvanising Lough Roe Lady (10-1) up the run-in to beat Dont Tell Pa by two and a quarter lengths in the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle.< Rating Queen (10-3) gave favourite-backers more to cheer about when landing the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, while trainer Sean McParlan notched his first winner since March 2008 when Drumlee (8-1) landed the Liscahill INH Flat Race under the trainer's son Noel.
