Avondhu Lady leads Tarla and Byerley Babe (centre) over the last© Photo Healy Racing
< Avondhu Lady took the drop down to two miles in her stride as she got the better of Byerley Babe in an exciting battle for the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas.
Prolific winner Tarla took them along on her return to action and turning into the straight she looked to be going well as Mark Enright worked hard to throw down a challenge on Avondhu Lady.
David Fenton's nine-year-old (6-1) stayed on strongly, however, and after putting in a better leap than the tiring Tarla at the last, she held Byerley Babe's effort by a neck.< Le Vent D'Antan has always been highly thought of and was odds-on for the Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 23rd February Maiden Hurdle after a promising third on his jumps debut, but he couldn't cope with Sea Beat
Arthur Moore's 5-1 shot jumped the last with Powder Hound who lost his hind legs and his chance, and Robbie Colgan kept him going strongly to hold the market leader by half a length.
Danny Mullins took the bull by the horns with a circuit to run on Champagne James in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle and Ted Walsh's 4-9 favourite had the opposition on the stretch turning in before clearing away to score by seven and a half lengths.< Moscow Mannon (13-8) was always travelling and jumping well for Davy Russell in the Tote Account 50 Free Bets Beginners Chase and Henry de Bromhead's charge won virtually as he liked, quickening away from Abbey Lane for a 15-length success.
Edward O'Grady's 7-2 favourite The Way We Were scored his first success for over two years when getting the better of a duel with Starkie over the final two fences in the DUBES Bess Ball Hype Handicap Chase, forging clear to win by five lengths under Mark Walsh.
Two highly promising Gigginstown bumper winners clashed in the Go Racing In Kildare INH Flat Race and Gordon Elliott's No More Heroes (6-5) just oustayed favourite Milsean by two and a quarter lengths in the hands of Stephen Clements.
