Keeponthesunnyside provided trainer Tim Doyle and jockey Jimmy Mansell with the biggest payday of their careers to date when gamely taking the featured Elan Midlands National, ironically run in driving rain.
The ten year-old grey, a confirmed course specialist, helped cut out a furious pace up front and drew clear before the straight to record his fourth win from as many starts at the track.
'This has been the plan since last summer, and we thought we'd put it up to the others considering his light weight,' said a clearly delighted Doyle, who will now aim his charge at the Galway Plate.
Champion jockey Paul Carberry enjoyed the perfect start to the evening, capturing the opening two hurdle races aboard well-backed pair Treasured Guest and Samasakhan.
Treasured Guest (9/2-3/1), trained in his earlier days by Luca Cumani, is likely to revert to the flat at Galway after comfortably landing a gamble in the opening Innkeepers Maiden hurdle.
Favourite Don't You Dare (6/4-3/1-2/1f) looked held when falling at the final flight, leaving Mick Halford's charge to come home six lengths clear of his former stable-companion Northern Mill.
Samasakhan belatedly opened his account over obstacles when justifying favouritism in the Tom McCormack Memorial Cup Maiden hurdle, easing to a ten-length triumph over The Irish Raider.
'I told the owners to sell this horse a while back, as he didn't seem to be able to win a handicap hurdle,' said trainer Pat Hughes.
Ruby Walsh was stood down for seven days after briefly losing consciousness when unseated from Horse Chestnut at the penultimate flight in the latter event.
The rider was taken to Tullamore hospital, where he later received stitches to a lacerated chin.
Tom Treacy ensured his only ride of the night was a winning one when guiding Lifes A Flyer to a 3 1/2 length success in the Star Racegoers Club Handicap Hurdle.
Gareth O'Brien
