Front-running tactics and the fitting of blinkers worked the oracle as veteran Merry People captured the featured Denny Gold Medal Chase at a sun-drenched Tralee.
The 25/1 shot was given a dashing ride by Shay Barry, and will have a light campaign with a view to a third tilt at the Martell Grand National next April. The twelve year-old held every chance when capsizing at the penultimate obstacle in the 1999 renewal.
Ansar will bid to give Dermot Weld his second English Cesarewitch after a workmanlike performance in the Denny Havasnack QR Race.
Vintage Crop landed a gamble for the stable in the event prior to his famous Melbourne Cup triumph, and Ansar may have a further outing at Listowel before attempting to follow suit.
Well-backed favourite Saor Theas (7/4 - 5/4) overcame a mistake at the final flight to take the opening maiden hurdle under Paul Moloney.
Christy Roche revealed afterwards that he had trained the Phardante gelding with the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham in mind last season before that plan was shelved.
'He was just a little raw, so we decided to leave him off for a while and go straight over hurdles. He will improve a lot from today, and could be very good in time', he added.
Teenager Tom Queally again showed why he is in such demand at present when guiding Not A Sound to a cosy 3/4l success in the 1m handicap. The filly was returned at the generous odds of 20/1, and was providing handler John Muldoon with his first winner at Tralee.
Harry Rogers was another to taste success for the first time at Ballybeggan Park when top-weight Benfica held the late effort of Granuale in the 1m3f handicap.
Hill Port romped home fully nine lengths clear in the 2m handicap, and is likely to embark on a career over jumps in the near future, according to trainer Frances Crowley.
Wayfarer battled back gamely after being headed inside the final furlong to defeat newcomer Cruiskeen Lawn in the juvenile maiden, while favourite backers went home happy after Rumours Abound got up on the line in the last.
It was no surprise to see the jackpot not won, with the pool of #10,000 now carried forward to tomorrow's meeting.
