< Admiral Brian was the main beneficiary of Coquin Mans misfortune in the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan (Peugeot) Hurdle at Clonmel.
All appeared to be going to plan for the 30-100 favourite when he sauntered into the lead at the third-last, with Paul Townend looking around for non-existent dangers swinging into the straight.
He stumbled and fell well before the second-last, though, leaving Admiral Brian and Taglietelle to fight it out, and Eamonn O'Connell's 25-1 shot stayed on best to prevail by a couple of lengths.
On an action-packed card, Jack Kennedy staked a claim for ride of the season when landing the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Only 90 Beginners Chase on Robin Des Mana
Kennedy performed an amazing recovery to survive a mistake with a circuit to travel, getting the 7-2 shot back in front by five out, and coming home half a length ahead of Kiera Royale
Willie Mullins gained some compensation for Coquin Mans' mishap when Draconien made a successful jumping bow in the Next Meeting Thursday January 11th (Q.R.) (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.
The French import made his own running and cruised across the line 12 lengths in front of Mighty Stowaway as the 8-13 favourite.
The Gigginstown House Stud colours were carried to victory in the Clonmel Maiden Hurdle, but not by odds-on shot Monbeg Worldwide
The 2-5 favourite put the pace to the race until he was headed by Game Of War (9-2) on the run to the second-last, and Henry de Bromhead's charge galloped on relentlessly to beat Reelingintheyears by 11 lengths, with Monbeg Worldwide only third.< Black Scorpion confirmed the promise of his recent Punchestown third by justifying 5-2 favouritism in the Club Stand Restaurant Handicap Chase.
The Katie O'Farrell-ridden 9-4 favourite Battling Spirit lived up to his name to fend off Ballymadun in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, while Rock On Lilly (8-1) made all in the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.
