In-form trainer Tony Martin picked up another decent prize when the versatile Pires grabbed the lead close home to take the feature Water Towers Chase at Ballinrobe.

The Paul Townend-ridden 2-1 favourite looked to have plenty to do at the final fence as he was still only fourth as Tribes And Banner came away from it in front, but he made up ground rapidly and snatched the verdict in the shadow of the post by a head.

In a thrilling finish outsider Fantastic Gold flew home, too, and he was only a further half a length behind in third place.

Townend completed a double in the Ballinrobe On Course Vets Beginners Chase when Tom Taaffe's 11-8 favourite Heaney who was always prominent, led two out and won by three and a half lengths after Darroun fell in mid-race.

John Monroe's dual course and distance winner Muzak landed back-to-back victories in the Corrib Oil Handicap Chase in the hands of Robert Dunne.

The 10-year-old (8-1) was never far off the lead set by Decade Player and took charge at the second-last before running on strongly to pass the post with seven lengths to spare over Boxer Beat and the favourite, Galloping Gander

The Kevin Prendergast-trained Maude Adams (5-2) ran out a comfortable winner of the Breaffy House Resort Rated Race, leading off the home bend under Gary Halpin and clearing away to score by five and a half lengths, with Star Links taking second late on.

John McConnell's Orgilgo Bay (7-2), whose was second to Battle Of Marengo in the Beresford last season, swept to a commanding three-length victory in the Ballinrobe Racecourse Of The Year Maiden after leading over two furlongs out under Gary Carroll.

Punters sent Timjoe off the 11-4 favourite for the David Heneghan Memorial Handicap and got it right as Terence O'Brien's six-year-old led at the furlong pole under Connor King and had no trouble holding the late charge of Zemario by half a length.