Paul Carberry had a four-timer on this programme twelve months ago and he again dominated the opening day of the season at Ballinrobe, with a treble.

Following on from his wins on Rocky Wednesday and Ballyreesode earlier, Carberry gave Stephen Mahon's Usa a typically confident ride to land the Killeen Sports Grounds Handicap Hurdle.

He was checked for room briefly on the run to the last but it made no difference to the previous course and distance winner and Usa eventually came home a length and a length and a quarter to the good from Stop The Clock and Faranadooney

Mahon said: "I'd like to thank the Turf Club for giving me my licence back. I was restricted to four horses until last Friday week.

"Hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here.

"Tom Quinn (the winning owner) is great to train for as he leaves me alone to do the horses.

"I have twenty eight in training and hopefully I can get back to where I was.

"We put in a new gallop and this fella is a lovely horse.

"My heart will be in my mouth when he goes chasing though as he has plenty of speed.

"He'd certainly be a nice pacemaker for Sprinter Sacre! You won't see the best of him until he goes chasing." (TW & EM)