Willie Mullins appeared to have solid prospects of a treble at Thurles but had to leave empty-handed after Arbre De Vie failed to land the odds as Montys Meadow made all in the Rock Of Cashel Beginners Chase.

In fairness to the Jimmy Mangan-trained 5/2 second favourite, he put in a superb round of jumping from the front while the hot favourite made a costly blunder six out.

Russell’s mount was about two or three lengths up at the final fence, and kept on well on the run-in to beat the 4/11 favourite by a length and a half.

The pair pulled well clear of the others, with Vent De La Cote 39 lengths further adrift in third. Uranna runner-up in the mares beginners chase, and Avant Tout a faller three out in the Listed race, were also out of luck earlier on the day for the Closutton maestro.

Mangan said, "He deserved that and Davy said he'd have gone around again.

"This is definitely not a bad horse and has speed and stamina. Davy said he did quicken today and three miles will also be no problem for him.

"I'll wait for next year before running him in those big handicaps and will look for a winners of one next. I'll also look for black-type seeing as I bred him and have the mare. I might make a few bob for myself!"

Russell, who successfully replaced Jonathan Burke on Smashing in the feature, said "My fella had the two runs under his belt and he jumped great. He quickened away down the straight in the heavy ground. He deserved that, and might be improving a bit."

(TW & AM)