An exhibition of Denis O'Regan's skills saw him register a 43 and a half to one treble, in the process teaming up successfully with Willie Mullins for the first time.
This came about when Irish Invader beat his stable companion, Bothar Na by a head in the novice hurdle. From the immediate family of Just Wondering and General Idea, this fellow has been frustrating.
Beaten ten times since scoring on his debut at Fairyhouse in January 2006, he only just lasted home here either, with Cardozer running on well to be third, just a length off them.
Jackie Mullins said afterwards, 'We're delighted as he has been pipped a good few times. He will probably keep going over the summer.'
Galway trainer, Yvonne Dunleavy saddled her 2nd winner when Ogre D'Estruval took the opening maiden hurdle in the hands of O'Regan.
He got the better of favourite, Iron Hague, from the back of the last by 2L. Imported from France where he had been chasing, the winner was a 7/1 chance in the morning and found 9/2 from 5s on track.
Dunleavy said afterwards, 'it will be on to Galway from here and it is a chaser he will be but not until the end of the season or next year.'
Youghal, Co. Cork native, O'Regan, who takes up his new job as stable jockey to Howard Johnson in August, completed the hat-trick in the beginners chase.
On Asian Maze's half-brother, Hilamar Hotel for Noel Meade and local-owner, Robert Bagnall, they comprehensively out-pointed Dulgodti Bob by 7L.
Following O'Regan's brilliance, Adrian Lane had the place buzzing after getting Inch Sunset going again (prominent, before dropping to 11th 5 out) to win the 3m h'cap hurdle.
Carrying top-weight, the mare got to the front before the last to beat Fourpointone by 1L. In the Dorans Pride colours, she doubled Longford-trainer, Leo Temple's score on the track.
He has a licence since the middle of last year, and he saddled his first winner in a point-to-point at Ballinrobe racecourse in October 2006. Inch Sunset got him off the mark under Rules.
That was at Down Royal 24 days ago. Temple, who previously worked with Michael Hourigan, said, 'she hated the track but once he pulled her out wide she started rallying again.
'We have a 3 mile h'cap hurdle in mind for her at Galway. It is nice to get a decent horse so early as I am not even training a year yet.'
There was further Galway cheer in the 2m 3f h'cap hurdle. Here Paul Gilligan's reserve, Nintytwo Team got in and proceeded to run-away with it under Andrew Lynch by 8L from My True Romance.
Owned by the Hurl N' Ball Syndicate which includes the famous hurling family, the Kilkennys, he is named after the Kiltormer team, All Ireland Club Hurling Champions in 1992.
Gilligan was subsequently fined E500 for not reporting to the Stewards that Nintytwo Team injured his back when disappointing at Tralee on May 26th.
Mullica Lad (Francis Flood and Shane Hassett) were without cover in the final leg of the Jackpot, the h'cap chase, ensuring a pool of E10,340 is rolled over to Sligo on Tuesday.
Colm Murphy and Andrew Duff combined with the newcomer Zaarito in the bumper. This 11/2 shot beat the 8/13 market-leader, Taipan's Way by a length.
