Smart chaser Mount Colah bounced back to winning ways with a hard fought victory in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles.

The race developed into a duel between Jerry Cosgrave's charge and 6/4 favourite Daneking from the second last flight.

Mount Colah had a narrow advantage, under regular partner Noel McParlan, going to the final flight and kept finding on the run-in to repel Daneking by three-parts-of-a-length.

The 9/2 winner was making his seasonal debut. He had won a Listed Chase at the track in January before being pulled up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and finishing well beaten in handicap company at Punchestown.

"He switched off today and that was the main thing and also got a good lead. The good gallop helped him to settle and he was in a good way today,” said Cosgrave.

"He's a small horse and will stick to hurdles until we find a decent chase to suit. He was very fit coming here today and that's three wins for him here."

Daneking was bidding to give Willie Mullins a four-timer on the card and Ruby Walsh a treble.

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)