Slim Pickings held on gamely to land the Grade 3 Irish Field Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Kerryhead Windfarm, who had been let down by some sloppy jumping, finished well to throw down a challenge but just failed by a head to peg back Robert Tyner's charge.

David Casey had sent Slim Pickings to the lead four out but he came under pressure before the penultimate fence. The Scribano gelding responded well, however, and stuck to his task all the way to the line.

Johnny Murtagh's flirtation with hurdling reaped it's first dividends when Game Ball Ali prevailed in a tight finish to the Christmas Parties At Punchestown Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Murtagh showed his elation on the return to the winners' enclosure after it was announced that he had just got up in the last strides to beat Dulgodti Bob.

Riding honours on the day went to Andrew Lynch who partnered a quick double courtesy of Blueberry Boy and Tazmana.

Blueberry Boy was a stylish winner of the Thornberry Hurdle, when making all and comfortably holding the late challenge of Ross River by two-and-a-half lengths.

Lynch completed the brace half an hour later when delivering Tazmana with a perfectly timed challenge in the Narraghmore Maiden Hurdle.

The Jim Dreaper-trained mare moved into contention before the last and despite an untidy jump soon got to the lead to score by a cosy length-and-a-half from Lenrey.

Ballygally Bay made an impressive debut over hurdles, for Steve Mahon, in the opening Irish Racing Annual 3-Y-O Hurdle.

Amateur Keith Bowens sent the gelding to the front before the second last and he stayed on strongly in the straight to record a seven-length verdict over Night Bridge.

Tom Taaffe may have been out of luck with Kicking King at Haydock but the yard got a winner when Solar System took the Connan Cawley Solicitors Handicap Chase.