< Apt Approach ran out a gutsy winner of the Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.

Willie Mullins' front-running 9/10 favourite relinquished the lead when hitting three out, but he was soon back upsides last year's winner Follow The Plan at the next obstacle.

Little separated the pair at the last but Apt Approach, in receipt of 7lb, responded well to Ruby Walsh's urgings and crossed the line with four and a quarter lengths in hand.

Follow The Plan's trainer Oliver McKiernan went one better when Quietly Fancied emerged from the W.T. O'Grady Memorial EBF Novice Chase as a fortunate winner.

Mullins' market leader Bishopsfurze was in complete command when slithering to the ground after jumping two from home, allowing Quietly Fancied to prevail as an 8/1 chance.

The Conor O'Dwyer-trained Folsom Blue maintained his upward profile when landing the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, and his jockey Davy Russell followed up on Knockfierna in the Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Charles Byrnes' 6/4 favourite shot ran out when seeimgly having the measure of Sir Des Champs at Limerick, but atoned by collaring Belle Brook approaching the final fence, en route to a length-and-three-quarter triumph.< Argocat (7/2) continued his progression over jumps with a resolute display in the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

Carrying the colours of Fitri Hay, he only had Lamb Or Cod for company turning into the straight and eventually saw off that rival to score by four and a half lengths.

The application of cheekpieces worked the oracle for Prince Of Forwards (25/1), who relished the step back up in distance to land the Leugh Handicap Hurdle, while 9/2 shot Merchant Royal had to pull out all the stops to repel the renewed challenge of Viking Splash in the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase.