< Very Wood was made to work harder than expected as he made a winning debut over fences in the W.B. Gavin & Co. E.B.F. Beginners Chase at Galway.

Noel Meade's five-year-old, who won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, was sent off 1-2 favourite for his opening assignment over larger obstacles and jumped well in the main.

However, Bryan Cooper had to get serious on his mount as The Job Is Right refused to go down without a fight and gave the winner something to think about before doing down by a length and a half.< Black Benny gave Adrian Heskin a first winner for new boss Barry Connell in the Ennis Lifts Handicap Chase.

It was announced last week that Heskin would become the new retained rider for leading owner Connell and they wasted no time in getting off the mark.

The Shane Broderick-trained took it up from Aranhill Chief and Rogue Angel on the run in, but the latter battled back bravely and the 5-1 winner was all out to hang on by a neck.

Heskin hit the target again with Ronava (11-2), who recorded a three-and-a-quarter-length verdict over Balkinstown in the www.galwayraces.com Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Danny Mullins also recorded a double, starting with Mumbo Bay (3-1) who he gave a fine front-running ride to land the opening Barna Recycling Rated Novice Hurdle.< Kolaphos did good late work but could only get within three-quarters of a length of the six-year-old, who is trained by the jockey's mother, Mags.

Mullins then scored for his father, Anthony, on board Battling Boru in the John Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.

The 8-1 shot hit the front before two out and held the late challenge of Tawseef with a length to spare.< Cloudy Rock (2-1fav) landed a blow for favourite backers in the www.galwayraces.com Mares Maiden Hurdle as he beat Little Miss Vic by a length and a half, while the closing NUIG Student Raceday (Pro/Am) Flat Race went the way of Tycoon Prince (2-1), a two-length winner from Rio Treasure