Out of action since fracturing a bone in his right leg in a fall at Tralee on October 1st, Niall 'Slippers' Madden, on his first day back in the plate, quickly got things rolling again, when on his third mount, he got River Liane home the three and a half length victor of the I.T.B.A. Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas.

This Tom Cooper-trained French import headed favourite, Beau Michael before the last, but the chestnut got that flight wrong and had to display plenty of courage to prevail by three and a half lengths.

River Liane carried huge Irish money when down the field in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle (burst there and also found to have an infection post race) at Cheltenham on his last start.

Copper said afterwards: "We're delighted. The very heavy ground was a worry, so too was his fitness. He missed a few weeks during September. We'll take our time with him. His possible next run could be a handicap at Sandown in early December on Tingle Creek Day." (EM)