Delight for connections of Ted Veale and Blackmail© Photo Healy Racing
County Hurdle winner Ted Veale returned to action with a smart show in an exciting renewal of the Eva-Tec Ltd (QR) Race at Bellewstown.
Second to Jezki when last seen in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April, the Tony Martin-trained six-year-old moved up with serious intent on the run to the home bend under Simon Craig.
Odds-on favourite Pique Sous hit the front turning into the straight, but Ted Veale (100-30) was soon after him and cleared away to win by four lengths, with his stablemate Blackmail finishing fast to snatch second.
Pat Smullen conjured a renewed effort from Tylery Wonder (7-2) to take the City North Hotel Handicap after a battle with the favourite Sylvan Mist
Willie McCreery's charge surrendered the lead when Sylvan Mist zipped through on the inside, but he responded well and got back on top to score by a head in a thrilling finish, breaking his duck in the process.
Ger Lyons' juvenile Ubiquitous Mantle gave the long odds-on Zakhm a fright at Down Royal last time and showed that was no fluke by winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Emmet McNamara drove the 5-2 joint-favourite up to challenge Henson a furlong out and she got on top close home to score by a length, with her market rival Keyword never in the hunt.
Few got into the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden as Fran Berry blazed a trail on David Marnane's 5-4 favourite Celtic Man who saw off Miss Mousey and then held Sign From Heaven s persistent challenge by three-quarters of a length.
Marcus Callaghan's veteran sprinter Patrickswell (14-1) won the 10th race of his career when he ran on with great zest from the front under Leigh Roche to land the Q102 Raceday Sports Club Challenge Handicap by half a length.
The in-form Connor King partnered John Murphy's 5-4 favourite Cardinal Palace to an easy success in the Woods Financial Services Maiden, winning by 11 lengths.
