< Clara Sorrento (5-2) ran out a determined winner of the La Touche Restaurant Rated Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
Having contested races at the big festivals at Fairyhouse and this venue, Noel Meade's grey was taking a notable drop in class and made his own running.
Davy Russell kept Westland Row wide and emerged as the main danger but Clara Sorrento responded to all of Bryan Cooper's urgings and passed the post with four and a quarter lengths in hand.< Cook Islands made a successful NH debut in the www.punchestown.com Maiden Hurdle.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained 5-2 favourite was impeded by a rival's fall a fair way from home but was soon back on an even keel and after pressing the leaders at the final flight, stayed on well to beat his stable companion Monarch by two and a half lengths.< Lesley Dawn ran her rivals ragged in the Punchestown For Events Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Jessie Harrington's 7-2 shot had Dawn In The Park for company until approaching the home turn but she soon burned off that opponent and sauntered home 16 lengths clear.< Ben Brody (10-1) was a slightly fortunate winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
Market leader Sharps Choice put the pace to the race and appeared the likely winner, only to unship Niall Kelly at the last, allowing Ben Brody, who was staying on anyway, to come through to beat Goose Man by three and a half lengths.< Talsara (14-1) lost out by the narrowest of margins on the Flat recently and gained compensation back over obstacles by claiming top honours in the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.< Snugsborough Hall (6-1) was value for far more than his half-length defeat of Broder in the Punchestown For Events Handicap Hurdle, while 15-8 favourite Los Alamos took the Racing Again May 31st (Pro/Am) Flat Race to give O'Brien a double.
