< Royal County Star has struck a rich vein of form and proved his ability to handle a drop back in trip by winning the Enhance Marketing Chase at Punchestown.
Last year's Irish National runner-up had scored over timber at Cork two weeks ago, but that was over three miles.
However, he always travelled well within himself in this contest and making his move after favourite Jayo threw away his chance with a mistake three out, Tony Martin's 5-2 shot cruised into a share of the lead at the next en route to a two and-a-half-length defeat of Holly Tree < Paddy Pub has a bright future ahead of him after lifting the Conyngham Cup. Kieran Purcell's former point-to-pointer had twice tasted success in hunter chases in the last month and always prominent here, raced away from Canadian Sunset to score by two and a half lengths.< Give A Little made it second-time lucky over timber in the Getcover.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The 14-1 chance was far from disgraced when finishing fifth on her Cork introduction and she was one of a host in with a shout at the last here. Debutante Riverscape looked the most likely winner, but her sloppy leap handed the initiative to Give A Little, who needed no second invitation to scoot away by four and a half lengths.< Baily Rock left behind some terrible efforts to spring a 25-1 surprise in the Panoramic Restaurant Maiden Hurdle (Division 1).
Mouse Morris' six-year-old had been pulled up at Navan before failing to beat any of his 26 rivals home at the same venue. But he obviously benefited from a six-month absence because he battled back gamely once headed to account for favourite Prima Vista
The second division fell to Elysian Rock (11-1), who held favourite Total Excitement at bay to give Morris and Niall Madden a quickfire double.
