< Solwhit returned to action with a superb performance to land back-to-back runnings of the Dobbins & Madigans At Punchestown Hurdle.

Charles Byrnes' six-year-old, who was reportedly not quite as forward as last year, was settled in second place by Davy Russell as Donnas Palm took them along, with Sublimity and Voler La Vedette in behind.

Russell waited until the approach to the final flight before he asked the 11-10 favourite to quicken into the lead and he got a great response as Solwhit took charge before running on to beat Voler La Vedette by two and a half lengths.< Realt Dubh was sent off the 4-7 favourite for the Craddockstown Novice Chase (Grade Two) in the absence of Noble Prince with a stone bruise and made amends for his Galway fall last month with a sound display of jumping.

Noel Meade's six-year-old went to the front at the third-last and set sail for home in the hands of Davy Condon, and he kept on stoutly up the straight to hold Gates Of Rome by six lengths.

Meade and Condon soon linked up for a big-race double when Thegreatjohnbrowne stamped his class all over the Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade Three).

The 11-8 favourite led all the way and barely put a foot wrong before opening up a clear lead after the third-last and stretching away to score easily by seven lengths from Tharawaat

The Colin Bowe-trained Askanna (6-1) returned to winning form in the Punchestown Festival Hospitality Hurdle, getting away from the last flight quicker than Sweet My Lord to score by a length and a half under Barry O'Neill.

Denis Cullen's Just Friends (14-1) dug deep for Robbie Colgan to land an all-the-way victory in the Darcy Sands Handicap Hurdle, holding the strong challenge of favourite Tijuana Dancer by half a length.

Jessie Harrington's Oscars Well (5-2 favourite) led two out and surged clear to win the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle by nine lengths under Robbie Power.