< Forge Meadow just came out on top in a thrilling finish to the opening race at Wexford, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The 15-8 second favourite was a smart bumper performer last season and travelled powerfully for much of the way on this first start over hurdles.
However, Jessica Harrington's charge had to dig really deep when squeezing between market rival Toe The Line and frontrunner Theatre Dreams after the last and only narrowly got the verdict by a short-head and a short-head.
Willie Mullins unleashed yet another smart French import in the Slaney Hurdle as Crack Tiepy (4-9 fav) justified strong market support to win by two and three quarter lengths.
The grey filly was value for much more than that winning margin suggests as she breezed to victory under a confident Ruby Walsh.
Mullins and Walsh completed a double on the card when Daisy's Gift (8-1) benefited from a first fence fall from hot favourite Slowmotion to land the Kelrogue Mares Beginners Chase by five and a half lengths.
Sutter Manor (4-5 fav) opened his account at the third attempt when seeing off Nanny Stone in the Supporters Club AGM Maiden Hurdle.
The recent Fairyhouse runner-up was always ideally placed under Bryan Cooper and despite Nanny Stone finishing strongly from the rear, he had plenty left in the tank as he recorded a five and a half length success.
One of the most comprehensive victories of the day came in the Loch Garman Handicap Hurdle as Cloudy Morning routed For Sinead by nine lengths.
The 6-1 chance took over entering the home straight and extended his advantage in the closing stages as he ran out an impressive scorer.< Capture The Drama (3-1 fav) made every yard of the running when jumping his rivals into the ground in the Selskar Handicap Chase while Maple Mons (7-1) just prevailed in the Rosslare Hunters Chase.
