Hurricane Fly jumps the last just ahead of Jezki© Photo Healy Racing
< Hurricane Fly recorded an astonishing 20th success at Grade One level as he got the better of Jezki in a thrilling finish to the StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old (15-8), who lost his Champion Hurdle crown to Jezki in March, looked to have plenty on his plate when he made an error two out as he moved into top gear behind the odds-on favourite.
Front-runner Little King Robin gave way on the turn into the straight and Hurricane Fly attacked in time to edge in front of Jezki at the final flight before being driven two and a quarter lengths clear by Ruby Walsh to land his third consecutive Morgiana.
Noel Meade's 3-1 shot Chancol made it two from two over fences in a dramatic renewal of the Madigans Bars Craddockstown Novice Chase, in which the unbeaten Alelchi Inois was pulled up after a horrendous error.
The favourite's stablemate Un Beau Roman tried to make all and was still in front after the last, but he was weary and Paul Carberry reeled him in as Chancol, carrying the JP McManus colours, won by three lengths.
Another favourite to pull up was Very Wood in the Dobbins Outdoor Catering Florida Pearl Novice Chase, in which Henry de Bromhead's Shanahan's Turn (11-4) led two out under Johnny Burke and forged four and three-quarter lengths clear of Indevan
Gigginstown struck when Gordon Elliott's dual bumper scorer No More Heroes (2-11 favourite) led all the way in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle and galloped on relentlessly to score by eight and a half lengths under Bryan Cooper.
Liz Doyle's Pairofbrowneyes (7-1) returned from a lay-off with a gutsy victory in the Go Racing In Kildare 2015 Membership Handicap Hurdle, leading on the run to the last under Mikey Fogarty and holding Pivot Bridge by a length and a quarter.
Davy Russell travelled best on Lite Duties in the closing stages of the Flynn & Lynch Life And Pensions Supporting Longford GAA Handicap Hurdle and when he popped the question, Charles Byrnes' charge (11-4) went four and a half lengt
