Unfortunately Strong Project unseated rider at the last when still disputing the lead, but War Of Attrition kept everyone happy with his performance in taking the Clonmel Oil Chase.
Conor O'Dwyer, rider in form (he had another double today) and man aboard the 1/2 favourite, said, 'it was cat and mouse between myself and Shay (Barry, rider of Rathgar Beau) early on.
'He jumped super and travelled well and though it was a bit short (the trip), he was still able to do it. He is a proper one.'
Mouse Morris now plans, all going well, to go for the Durkan Chase next followed by the Lexus at Christmas with the 1/2L winner.
Rathgar Beau meanwhile, the staying-on runner-up, pleased his trainer, Eamonn Sheehy. He commented, 'we'll go the same route as last year and we might take in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork next.'
Elsewhere the chief event of interest was the Listed mares novice chase and Court Leader put her chasing experience to good use here.
Backed from 9/2 into 7/2, Tom Mullins' second favourite ran out a decisive 4L winner over Kerrys Cottage (doing her best work at the finish). Robbie Power was the successful jockey.
Trainer, Eric McNamara summed up the general feeling of racegoers following the maiden hurdle. He said of his Stoneville, 'he could be anything and he is one to look forward to.'
A point-to-point victor in late May and since purchased by J P McManus, Conor O'Dwyer led 5 out on the 5/4 favourite and he came home at his leisure to beat Get A Few Bob Back by 8L.
A slight mistake at the last was the only blemish on a brilliant round of hurdling and it prompted bookmakers Boylesports to give the 5yo a 33/1 quote for the next year's SunAlliance Hurdle.
McNamara doubled up later on, Harbour View providing David Casey with compensation for his tumble from Strong Project in the feature, the 13/2 shot staying on stoutly to take the 3m h'cap hurdle.
Oran Climate (7s early, 5/1 into 3/1 on course) was the one for money in this event but he folded tamely coming away from the third last hurdle to finish a tailed off last.
Spiritual Society (3s in the morning and 5/2 to 6/4 on track) landed a gamble under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins in the 2m h'cap hurdle.
Walsh showed his class and strength to complete a brace on Mick Murphy's Wondersobright in the h'cap chase. It was a 2nd winner under Rules for the trainer.
The winning point-to-pointer made all the running but he had little left at the finish, all out to hold off Permiya by 2L. A mistake 2 out (rider lost irons) was a big hindrance to the runner-up.
Charlie Swan has now trained five winners in four racing days, his Some Bob Back (7/2 into 5/2 fav), winning the bumper with Lenny Flynn (his third winner in the same length).
The failed gamble, Oran Climate was found to have a respiratory tract infection on endoscopic examination.
