< Dancing Hero bounced back to his best with victory in the feature Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

Tried at Grade One level in both bumper and hurdles company, Dancing Hero returned from well over a year off the track when finishing second at Fairyhouse last month and he showed the benefit of the outing here.

Partnered by Tom Ryan, the 4-1 shot took over at the third-last fence and while favourite Dooney's Gate tried his best, Dancing Hero proved two and a half lengths too good.

"He's big horse and he was very unlucky last year, he was out all of last season with minor injuries but he seems to be coming back to himself," said winning trainer Tom Foley.

"We'll have to see what the handicapper does with him now. He was a very promising horse previously when winning three times around here and finishing second twice.

"We've no plans yet, he really needs better ground so we'll wait and see what the ground is like at Easter."< Cass Bligh (11-10 joint favourite) was a striking winner of the Great Oak Maiden Hurdle, kicking to the front at the second-last flight before easing home six lengths clear of fellow market leader Better Times

Winning trainer Adrian Murray said: "He's a brilliant jumper and he'll make a lovely chaser in time. I'm not sure where we'll go next but we won't be rushing him anyway."< Max Almighty was a shock 25-1 winner of the Goresbridge Handicap Hurdle for trainer Andrew Kinsella and jockey Barry Cash.

Kinsella said: "The ground really suited him today and it was great to get the win."< Ballistraw (11-2), a Grade Two winner back in 2008, returned to form following some decent efforts in point-to-point company when claiming the Tetratema Perpetual Cup Hunters Chase.

Jessica Harrington also got a win on the board with Got Attitude (2-1 joint-favourite) who held the challenge of Otay Kawn by a neck in the Thomastown Beginners Chase.

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