Expanding Universe and Robbie McNamara © Photo Healy Racing
Top-class bumper performer Waaheb put in an impressive show as he returned from a long lay-off to land the Premier Jump Weekend At Fairyhouse Hurdle.
Making his bow over jumps in the familiar JP McManus colours, the Dermot Weld-trained five-year-old was ridden with patience in rear for most of the way by Mark Walsh.
The 8-13 favourite crept closer through the second half of the race and after jumping the last upsides Silver Friend and Decade Player showed a smart turn of foot to go clear to win by six and a half lengths.
Weld doubled up when Expanding Universe (7-4 favourite) asserted in the final furlong to take the concluding bumper under Robbie McNamara.
Henry de Bromhead looks to have another useful prospect on his hands in the Potts colours in Sizing Rio who put in an impressive round to see off the odds-on Cops And Robbers in the Dine In The Bobbyjo Bistro Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Carberry sent the 13-8 chance past long-time leader Strategic Bid at the third-last flight and though Cops And Robbers gave chase, he was never able to get near enough to land a blow and the winning distance was 18 lengths.< Seefood (9-4) showed his wellbeing with victory in a Clonmel bumper at the end of last month and followed up with the minimum of fuss in the Hold An Event At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.
Bryan Cooper caught long-time leader Kims Fancy two out and the Dessie Hughes-trained five-year-old swept clear to win by 12 lengths from Share Wood with favourite War Correspondent disappointing.
The Noel Brett-trained Dactik (9-2) was hit with a 12lb hike after winning easily last time and shrugged that off with another convincing success in the Follow Fairyhouse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle, forging clear to score by three and a quarter lengths under Davy Russell.
There was a thrilling finish to the Book A Suite At Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle, Paul Townend on the Willie Mullins-trained Away We Go (15-8 favourite) just resisting the persistent Ballygill Gale by a head.
