Mode proves too good for odds-on Meadow

The market principals dominated in the Thank You Tom Maguire From All At Punchestown Hurdle, with Fascile Mode overturning Galway Plate winner Ash Tree Meadow

Highly tried over the winter months, the Tom Mullins-trained victor was last seen finishing third of four behind Beacon Edge at Ballinrobe.

Sent off a 10/3 chance this afternoon, the Walk In The Park six-year-old soon raced in second under Jack Foley, travelling best when improving to lead entering the straight.

Soon sent clear, the Helen Mullins-owned bay wasn't fluent at the last but maintained his advantage on the run-in and came home five-and-a-half lengths to the good.

Returned favourite at 1/3, Ash Tree Meadow attempted to make all under Carl Millar but had no more to offer once headed and ultimately filled the runner-up spot.

The front-pair were seven-lengths clear of Striking in third.

"I have Galway on my mind for him and he could go for the McManus Hurdle in Tipperary before that," the winning trainer commented.

"Which handicap hurdle he'll go for in Galway I don't know. He probably has a choice of three.

"I haven’t spared him since Punchestown as he ran twice there (at the Festival) and he ran at Ballinrobe but that was a sprint and he got done for toe with the downhill finish.

"He wants that type of ground - he doesn't want heavy ground.

"He was very well in himself so I kept him in and Galway is the obvious place for him."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee