Two to seven shot Lyrical Theatre gave her connections and backers heart palpitations, before scoring under Patrick Mullins in the Gift Horse Gallery Horse & Jockey Hotel Mares Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

The three time bumper winner pecked five out, she wasn't great at the next either, but from there home her jumping passed the test.

It certainly needed to though, as the experienced 104-rated Annagh Haven struck for home between the last two.

Lyrical Theatre has many a good stayer in her pedigree and that was in evidence as she picked up on the run-in to get up close home and score by a length.

"She wasn't impressive but I was in two minds with her whether to go hurdling straight away or wait until next season, and might have rushed the decision," acknowledged winning trainer Willie Mullins.

"I normally would have waited and put her away until next season but thought her class might see her through. I wouldn't mind getting her handicapped on that run though!

"I'm hoping to go to the bigger tracks with her and she'll go for a novice hurdle next."

The Stewards fined Peter Maher, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Encore Une Annee (GB), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

Daniel G. Murphy, trainer of Havnt Time reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge burst a blood vessel.

(TW & EM)