A thrilling finish to Ballinrobe's McHale Engineering Hurdle saw Darroun record a last-gasp victory for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

The 11-10 favourite was without success since landing a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in January 2012 and needed all of Walsh's persuasion to regain the winning thread.

Off the bridle three flights from the finish, the winner looked in serious trouble as Aranhill Chief was again much tidier two-out, but he kept battling away after the last and edged the verdict by a nose.< Xsquared (9-2), ridden by Andrew McNamara, made amends for an unlucky course second last month with victory in the McWilliam Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

Joanna Morgan's charge had since run twice on the Flat, finishing third at Bellewstown before struggling at Leopardstown, and returned to timber with a hard-fought length and a half success over Pennys Tune < Bob Le Beau broke through over timber in the Mayo News Maiden Hurdle.

Jessica Harrington's classy Flat recruit showed up well on his first two jumps outings at Down Royal and bounced back from a disappointing Limerick effort at the start of the month to make it fourth time lucky in this sphere.

Robbie Power had the 9-2 chance in a handy position behind the leaders and, having taken it up from Spot Fine leaving the back straight for the second time, he ran on well beat Phillys Fancy by two and a quarter lengths.

Keith Donoghue was handed all the plaudits on The Ring Is King (10-3) as Paul Flynn's charge took the Paddy Smyth Memorial Maiden Hurdle.< Macbeth was sent off a warm order for the opener but market rival The Ring Is King held on to claim the prize by a diminishing length and a quarter having led for much of the way under promising 3lb claimer Donoghue.