A more fluent jump over the last by Foildubh (inside) proves decisive © Photo Healy Racing
< Foildubh (7-2) claimed the scalp of Rubi Ball in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles.
Rubi Ball was a top-class chaser in France and was the 1-2 favourite to make his first start for Willie Mullins a winning one.
He got into the bottom of a few of the flights, but still looked the most likely winner when eyeballing Foildubh turning for home.
However, he jumped the last less fluently than his rival, who stuck his neck out gamely to prevail by a head.
Mullins had better luck when Lucky Bridle banished a miserable jumping debut to the memory with a clear-cut success in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.
Willie Mullins' French recruit suffered all sorts of problems at Punchestown last month but, with a hood applied here, Ruby Walsh was keen to avoid any such issues by setting the even-money market leader off in front and he didn't see another rival, passing the post three and three-quarter lengths ahead of Shield < Letter Of Credit (13-2) claimed the scalp of the odds-on Make A Track in the Glen Chase.
In a four-runner race, the favourite's task should have been made easier when Canaly came down three out, with Tinakellylad also blundering at the same obstacle, but Phillip Enright avoided the trouble in behind and brought Letter Of Credit to challenge at the last, and he proved half a length stronger on the run-in.< Sitcom broke her duck over fences in the Killinan Beginners Chase.< Il Fenomeno headed the market at 5-4 and was given every chance by Paul Carberry, but he was under pressure from the home turn and faded into fifth, as Sitcom improved to touch down over the last in front en route to a length-and-a-half defeat of Kilcarry Bridge < Baily Dusk and The Blarney Rose came to the final fence in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase locked together, but The Blarney Rose took a heavy fall, leaving her rival clear to coast home by eight lengths as the 13-8 favourite.< Sea Light took the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle, while Oscar Chimes proved too strong in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle.
