Enda Bolger© Photo Healy Racing
Tony McCoy gave his supporters cause for celebration on the opening day of his final Easter Festival at Fairyhouse as he landed the feature Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase on Gilgamboa
It was a thrilling contest as three jumped the final fence in line in the Grade One event, with long-time leader Gitane Du Berlais joined by Smashing and the eventual winner.
Gilgamboa (7-1) proved strongest on the run-in, winning for the Enda Bolger team in the JP McManus silks, although there was a late scare as The Tullow Tank flew at the finish and got to within half a length.
The victory completed a double for McCoy as he swooped to grab the Gleesons Butchers Novice Handicap Hurdle by a length and a quarter on Tom Mullins' 6-4 favourite Sir Scorpion after Marchese Marconi ejected Joseph O'Brien at the final flight.< Bitofapuzzle ran a cracking race when third in the mares' hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Harry Fry's charge picked up a nice reward for her efforts when she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final.
Sent off the 3-1 favourite for the Grade One event, she took it up after the fourth-last under Noel Fehily and quickly assumed command before running on strongly, despite getting tired, to hold market rival Petite Parisienne by four and a quarter lengths.< Shaneshill also ran well at Prestbury Park and Willie Mullins' 4-9 favourite followed up by easily taking the Grade Two Coolmore NH Sires Leading Light & Ocovango Novice Hurdle, leading two out under Ruby Walsh and sauntering 13 lengths clear.
The champion trainer picked up another big prize when Castello Sforza (9-2), carrying the silks of Pearl Bloodstock, swept through to land the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper under the handler's son Patrick.
Terence O'Brien's 11-2 chance Ballyadam Approach looked a sitting duck in the closing stages of the BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase, but main rival Dysios fell at the last and David Splaine kept him going to score well by three and three-quarter lengths.
