Feathard Lady caused a few ripples in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle market by overcoming a near year absence to take the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle in good style.
Trainer Colm Murphy saddled Brave Inca to finish second Macs Joy in this race last year but the unbeaten 5yo mare went one better under Ruby Walsh.
She was always going well on the heels of the leaders, and quickened up nicely to lead at the last before going away to beat fellow 9/4 jt fav Sky's The Limit by four lengths.
Cashmans introduced Feathard Lady at 33/1 for the Champion Hurdle, with Boylesports going 25/1, but Murphy was not getting carried away afterwards.
'That was a big ask for her first run and on that ground. I have no real plans and we will just see how she is in the morning before deciding anything.'
Charles Byrnes saddled his first winner at the track when Laetitia took the featured EBF Scarvagh House Stud Mares Novice Hurdle.
Davy Russell had a few anxious moments as the well-backed 7/4 fav veered about after striking the front in the straight but she kept on to beat High Priestess by 3L.
'I'm thrilled to get some black type for her and I'd say she wandered about due to lack of experience. She seems to like right-handed tracks,' said the Limerick trainer.
Afistfullofdollars was all the rage for the beginners chase, available at 9/2 in the morning and backed down to 7/4 favourite, and she jumped well to justify the support.
The Noel Meade-trained gelding was never far off the pace, and Paul Carberry could afford to ease him right down on the run-in to beat Macs Flamingo by eight lengths.
'I always thought he would be a good chaser, and hopefully he'll go for the 'SunAlliance' at Cheltenham. He'll go for the William Neville at Leopardstown over Christmas with a run beforehand,' said Meade.
Conor O'Dwyer partnered a double on the afternoon including former winning point-to-pointer Hear The Echo in the 2m6f maiden hurdle.
The 4yo was confidently ridden to lead between the final two flights for an easy five lengths verdict over Patsy Hall, and trainer David Wachman will find a novice before Christmas.
O'Dwyer followed up aboard Jirlan in the 2m handicap chase, the 5/2 fav jumping past Jupiter Hollow at the last and stretching clear on the testing ground to score by 13L.
Advance Guard showed the benefit of his hurdling debut at Listowel when taking the 3yo maiden hurdle, sent on before two out by David Casey to beat Packie Tam by 3L.
Trainer Ger O'Leary may aim the gelding now at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Once A Brownie went clear after halfway in the bumper and kept on strongly under J P Magnier to beat Sher Why Not by 15L.
