Limestone Lad recorded his 31st career win when making all under Paul Carberry in the e50,000 Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle.
The hugely popular gelding was challenged by Liss A Paoraigh early in the straight, but responded strongly when asked for an effort between the final two flights to score by 2L - the pair stretching 25L clear of the others.
'He's getting better with age!' quipped Michael Bowe before revealing that the 10yo will head next for the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas on Saturday.
Native Sparkle capped a memorable weekend for Nenagh handler Tom Hogan when also successfully adopting front-running tactics in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle.
The 5yo mare made all under leading claimer Keith Hadnett, partnering his first winner since breaking his jaw in August, staying on gamely to beat Nonchalant by 5L.
Hogan, who enjoyed another big race win with juvenile hurdler Newtown Dancer at Wetherby yesterday, said 'The plan was to test the rest of them for stamina.'
He added, 'I'm delighted to get black type for her. She wants further, and may come back here for the Monksfield Novice Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles in a fortnight.'
Alcapone completed a hat-trick for pace-setters in the feature races when taking the Fortria Chase under Barry Geraghty by 4L from Arctic Copper.
'He jumped super, and seems a happier horse this season having been treated for a back problem,' said trainer Mouse Morris.
Geraghty earlier initiated a double when Anvil Lord shrugged off the challenge of Supreme Venture on the run-in to score by 1L in the 3m handicap hurdle.
Goldstreet led two out under Shay Barry to beat Dutsdale Dancer by 1 1/2L in an incident-packed beginners chase, where just 8 of the 18 runners completed the 2m1f event.
Over The Bar (5/4-7/4f) led when coming to a standstill after blundering badly four out, and was pulled up by Norman Williamson.
Barry was recording a 76/1 double on the day having earlier taken the valuable fillies hurdle aboard Cheeky Lady (10/1-16/1-10/1), prominent throughout to beat Celestial Light by 4L.
The bumper was run in driving rain, and the well-backed Tony Mullins newcomer Ri Na Realta stayed on best up the final hill for Pa Murphy to beat Lincam by 2L.
Alan Magee
