Rolly Baby and Archie Meade jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Ruby Walsh's sole ride at Thurles was a successful one as Rolly Baby won the Thurles Racecourse Hurdle.
The three-mile contest looked to be at First Lieutenant s mercy on official ratings, but the multiple Grade One winner failed in his bid to make all and it was the Willie Mullins-trained 5-2 chance that followed in similar hoof prints to last year's winner Mikael D'Haguenet.
The son of Funny Baby won a maiden at the County Tipperary track back in February 2013 and quickened up best to score by half a length from the rallying Archie Meade < Alisier D'irlande was having his first run for Henry de Bromhead since leaving Philip Hobbs' stable and justified relentless market support in the Devil's Bit Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off a red-hot 2-7 favourite, supporters of the Kapgarde gelding rarely had a moment's worry as he sauntered to a 21-length success under Andrew Lynch, who was completing a double on the day.
There were two beginners chase contests on the card and both were ironically won by veterans.
The Templemore Beginners Chase got action underway and Marshim sprang a 20-1 surprise for Walter Power and Andrew McNamara in the opener.
Given a waited-with ride, the 13-year-old took full advantage of a strong gallop set by Third Opinion and he stayed best to beat the well-fancied Deano by four and a half lengths.
In the Jimmy Neville Memorial Beginners Chase, 7-1 chance Boxing Along got the better of Romantic Fashion
The Vincent Halley-trained, Andrew Lynch-ridden 11-year-old stayed on in determined fashion to earn a two-length victory.
Success for the old guard continued in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase when 10-year-old Killtilane Rose scored at odds of 5-1.
Bill Harney's mare had failed in 35 previous starts but was spring-heeled at the last to score by five and a half lengths under Kevin Sexton.
The Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle saw Drishrogue Boy (8-1) stroll home nine and a half lengths clear of Kilcross Bay, while there was another easy winner in the closing Littleton Flat Race as Alamein ju
