Denis O'Regan delivered Black Benny with a perfectly-timed challenge to claim top honours in the Kerry Foods Rated Hurdle at Down Royal.
Shane Broderick's 11-year-old, who was a useful handicap chaser in his time, is rated 20lb lower in this sphere but struggled to make an impact over timber at the Galway Festival.
Dropped back to the minimum distance, the 12-1 chance was ridden with patience by O'Regan, who didn't produce him until approaching the last and resorted to the whip close home to pip Mai Fitzs Jack by a neck.< Dodgybingo ran out a clear-cut winner of the Molson Coors 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
With the benefit of experience under his belt following a Roscommon fourth on his NH bow, Noel Meade's 2-1 favourite set out to make all under Sean Flanagan.
Three of his rivals were snapping at his heels two out and although he ploughed through the last, Dodgybingo stretched clear after it to beat Zig Zag by nine lengths.< Bobarlee was Willie Mullins' only runner on the card and duly landed the Allied Bakeries Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Townend, deputising for the sidelined Ruby Walsh, eased the even-money favourite to the front at the penultimate flight and she moved five and a half lengths away from Kiera Royale with the minimum of fuss.< Peregrine Run finally showed over obstacles the promise he displayed in bumpers by winning the Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle.
The 7-2 shot had just headed An Caisteal Nuadh when that one came down at the second-last, allowing Peregrine Run to stroll home 16 lengths clear of Llancilo Lord.
Jack Kennedy bounced back from his fall on An Caisteal Nuadh to land the Coca Cola Handicap Hurdle just 30 minutes later on Vote Of Confidence (9-1).
There was a thrilling finish to the SHS Group Handicap Hurdle as befitted the big field and with a whole host of horses still in contention jumping the last, the prize went to Silverpockets (12-1), who burst through between runners to deny Deputy Consort
