< Shakervilz got off to the best possible start for the season when finishing an emphatic winner of the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles.

Willie Mullins' charge was a progressive sort las term, winning twice, and travelled supremely well under Paul Townend, tracking the pacesetting Sabina Park before edging ahead with a circuit to run.

The field became strung out as the 5-4 favourite poured on the pressure up front, and he eventually pulled well clear to win hard-held by 14 lengths.

Mullins' attempts at a double were thwarted when Scotsirish was forced to settle for second behind Florida Express in the Glen Chase.

The winner, a 33-1 chance, had winning point-to-point form and led most of the way, travelling sweetly for Shane Jackson and pulling out plenty after the last to score by four lengths.

Favourite-backers got off to a flying start when Tom Mullins' 11-4 market leader King Of Queens landed the Holy Cross 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle under Robbie Power.

Mullins would have been hopeful of a double with Time Electric but he trailed home well beaten behind Browns Baily in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.

Andrew Thornton made an audacious bid for glory on Oh So Humbel pulling well clear down the back straight, but Niall Madden reeled him in on Browns Baily (6-1), taking up the running at the last and going on to win by four and a half lengths.

Colm Murphy was given a boost ahead of Brave Inca's return to action at the weekend when Sher Why Not (12-1) outbattled Boulavogue to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Dusty Sheehy's Baladiva (16-1) produced a solid round of jumping to get on top after the last in the Munster Handicap Hurdle and go on to beat Talkingtonbates by five lengths under Mick Darcy.

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