< Airlie Beach continues on her merry way and made it five out of five in the Pat Walsh Memorial EBF Mares Hurdle at Gowran Park.
With Ruby Walsh on top for the first time, the 4-9 favourite was allowed an uncontested lead, although there were plenty snapping at her heels after three out.
Willie Mullins' charge was enjoying a breather, however, and when asked to quicken away, the response was impressive as she stretched six lengths clear of stable companion Daisy's Gift who won this last year.
The other Listed heat on the card was the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mucklemeg Mares Flat Race, and it went the way of British raider Snow Leopardess
Jamie Codd kicked into the lead early in the straight on the Charlie Longsdon-trained 4-1 shot and she ran right the way to the line to beat Takeittothelimits by three and three-quarter lengths.
Davy Russell didn't take his up book of rides due to illness and Walsh stepped into the breach on Mr Antolini (2-1), who atoned for a Galway fall by inflicting a half-length defeat on Ballela Boy in the Racing Again Tomorrow Maiden Hurdle.< Peregrine Run landed a gamble at Down Royal last month and was just as impressive in the Banff And Buchan Handicap Hurdle.
The 8-1 shot was sent to the front a fair way from home but stayed on well and was good value for his five-length defeat of Conduct Yourself
Henry de Bromhead has his string in excellent order and sent out Veronica's Napkin to spring a 16-1 surprise in the Thomastown Maiden Hurdle.
Having hit the front two out, a slow leap at the last gave No Brainer and Sir Benford Wales a sniff, but Veronica's Napkin had plenty of petrol left and went away again to beat stablemate Sir Benford Wales by a length.< Omega Springs (16-1) broke his duck in the Dining Packages @ www.gowranpark.ie Handicap Hurdle, while Coolbane West (25-1) benefited from the late falls of two rivals to land the 19 Silver Package Handicap Hurdle.
