Whiskey And Red jumps the last with Another Flutter just behind© Photo Healy Racing
< Forpadydeplasterer (3-1) ended a lengthy run of defeats with a taking performance in the Glen Chase at Thurles.
Tom Cooper's 10-year-old hadn't tasted success since claiming the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2009, but had found just one too good on nine occasions since then and thoroughly deserved a return to the winner's enclosure.
Given a patient ride by the trainer's son, Bryan, he still had four horses in front of him jumping five-out but made smooth headway to challenge Snooze with two to jump.
The classy campaigner soon put the race to bed, pulling five and a half lengths clear after taking the last in style.
There was more family success in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase as Cnoc Seoda delivered for the Queally team.
Sporting a tongue-tie for the first time, Declan Queally's 25-1 chance jumped brilliantly in the hands of the trainer's son, Declan jnr, and made every yard.< Mae's Choice stuck on well for second but was three and three-quarter lengths down at the line.< Marito made a perfect start to life over fences when landing the Killinan (C & G) Beginners Chase.
Formerly a smart hurdler in France, Willie Mullins' recruit was narrowly denied in a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April and went one better with ease under Ruby Walsh.
The 9-10 market leader jumped into a clear lead when Savello made a hash of the second-last and he ultimately cruised home by 11 lengths from the running-on He'llberemembered
Mullins and Walsh had to settle for second as Charlie Swan's Make A Track beat Vesper Bell in the www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase, while Saoirse Dun (4-1 favourite) took division one of the Ken Whelan Hangs Up His Boots Handicap Chase for Philip Rothwell and Paul Townend.
The second instalment saw Bryan Cooper complete a double on Colin Bowe's Whiskey And Red (7-2).
