Turban and Ruby Walsh jump the last fence © Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins enjoyed another great day as Turban and Gitane Du Berlais landed the feature races on a high-class card at Fairyhouse.
Turban warmed up for the valuable Underwriting Exchange Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase with a second-placed run over the smaller obstacles at Cork a fortnight ago and he was an 11-2 chance in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
He travelled well into the race and after challenging for the lead two out, strode right away from the opposition heading to the final fence before beating favourite Competitive Edge by six lengths.
Gitane Du Berlais (evens favourite) took charge from halfway to lead home a Mullins one-two in the Grade Three Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.
Paul Townend always looked as if he had enough up his sleeve on the four-year-old as they came down the straight and the ex-French filly galloped on strongly to beat her Walsh-ridden stable companion Vicky De L'Oasis by five lengths.
A dramatic Fairyhouse Schooling Races Maiden Hurdle went the way of the Noel Meade-trained Waxies Dargle an experienced 11-1 shot ridden by Tony McCoy in the colours of JP McManus.
The favourite Le Vent D'Antan held every chance when suffering badly in a collision two out, while leader Daneking stumbled after the final flight, leaving Waxies Dargle to take advantage and score by a length and three-quarters.
Andrew McNamara sent Ray Hackett's 8-1 shot Tidy Zag into the lead on the home bend in the Fairyhouse For Fundraisers Handicap Hurdle and the gelding completed his hat-trick in cosy fashion, scoring by a length and three-quarters.
Henry de Bromhead's 5-4 favourite Grand Jesture led all the way under Davy Russell to win the Follow Fairyhouse On Facebook Beginners Chase comfortably, while Gordon Elliott's Hold Em Cowboy (9-4 favourite) was patiently ridden by Paul Carberry for a ready success in the Ward Union Hunt Gathering Handicap Chase.
