Philip Rothwell trainer of Bottle Rattler© Photo Healy Racing
The fitting of first-time cheekpieces saw Philip Rothwell's Bottle Rattler open his jumps account in the Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle.
The five-year-old has been lightly raced since winning a course bumper on debut last September but showed more sparkle at Sligo last time and built on that with a convincing performance under Mark Walsh.
The 5-1 chance was never far off the early pace set by High Talk and tracked through favourite Jamsie Hall after that one was sent to the front four out.
Walsh delayed his telling run until after the last and Bottle Rattler responded by skipping clear by four lengths.
Willie and Emmet Mullins combined to great effect with Dr Schultz in the opening Ladies Day At Downpatrick Maiden Hurdle.
Having his first outing over timber following an easy bumper triumph at Kilbeggan, the 13-8 shot took it up two out from long-time leader Sultana Belle < Rossvoss made late gains to fill the runner-up spot but he was eight and a half lengths down at the post.
The champion trainer also took the Fran Murrin Memorial Maiden with 11-10 favourite Sam Da Vinci ridden by Ruby Walsh.< Daytime Dreamer (12-1) finished with a wet sail under Liam McKenna to claim the Win A Diamond Ring Today Handicap Hurdle.< Jabus had a huge lead for most of the contest although he was tired jumping the final flight as Hold Em Cowboy went past and looked to have done enough.
But Jimmy Lambe's Daytime Dreamer had the last laugh and swooped to score by three-quarters of a length.< Bahati Boy (12-1), trained by Jerry Cosgrave, scrambled over the line in the Giltspur Scientific Maiden Hurdle.< Lily Of Killarney (9-1), trained by Colin Bowe and ridden by Davy Condon, won the Willie Murphy Jewellers Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle, while the concluding Meagan Green Miss Northern Ireland Ladies INH Flat Race went to You Can't Catch Me at 7-1.
