King Leon (Mark Walsh, nearside) and Carriganog (Barry Geraghty) battle it out© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien saddled a one-two in the McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe, but not in the order most would have expected.< Carriganog was sent off the 5-1 favourite, with Barry Geraghty sporting the first colours of JP McManus, but it was the Mark Walsh-ridden King Leon who prevailed.
Walsh dictated terms to suit himself on the 17-2 shot and when pressed by his stablemate at the last, stuck his neck out admirably to prevail by a length and a half.
McManus' Shanpallas (11-8) was all the rage for what was supposed to be a competitive McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle, but had to pull out all the stops to reward favourite-backers.
Geraghty appeared to have timed his challenge to perfection but Cliff House wouldn't go down without a fight and, in the end, Shanpallas only had half a length to spare at the line.< Bitview Colin showed great tenacity to come out on top in the McHale Fusion 3 Rated Novice Hurdle.
The 25-1 chance was challenged persistently by Delegate after taking up the running two out, but he wouldn't be denied and crossed the line half a length to the good before surviving a stewards' inquiry.
He may have been out of luck on Delegate but one day on from riding out his claim, Jack Kennedy was back in the winner's enclosure after steering Carrig Cathal (8-1) to a 12-length defeat of Bright Tomorrow in the McHale F5500 Baler Maiden Hurdle.
Kennedy followed up when Tiger Roll like Carrig Cathal trained by Gordon Elliott, regained the winning thread in the McHale Fusion 3 Plus Beginners Chase.
The 5-2 joint-favourite, who enjoyed his finest moment when landing the Triumph Hurdle a couple of years ago, jumped satisfactorily for one making his debut over fences and caught Buster Dan Dan before the last en route to an eight-length victory.
Elliott completed a treble when Sanibel Island won the McHale Bale Wrappers Flat Race.< Just Likeold Times (9-2) shed his maiden tag in the McHale Fusion Vario Handicap Hurdle, holding the late challenge of Whispering Hope by a length and a half.
