< For Bill had to fight all the way to make a winning debut over jumps in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

Amateur rider Mikey O'Connor sent the three-time bumper winner to the front four from home, but she had to dig deep to overcome Lady Roberta by half a length.

"She had to work hard. Mikey said the ground was very tacky. A win is a win," said trainer Michael Winters of the 1-2 winner.

"She was probably a little bit idle through the race and I think she may be better left-handed. There is a mares' winners race at Mallow in January for her."

Another winner at prohibitive odds was Apt Approach who atoned for his unlucky defeat at Thurles by making all in the Lisornagh Beginners chase.

He gained a confidence-boosting win as Ruby Walsh brought him home by three lengths from Taradoun

"We'll try and find a winners of one after the new year for him," said trainer Willie Mullins.

"We'll try and let him learn his trade without taking on the big guns. His jumping leaves a lot to be desired but he will improve."< Tinakellylad (7-1) was also in front from the start as he made his stamina count in the Kilsheelan Beginners Chase at the main expense of Apt Approach's stablemate Kempes

"He dragged his legs through a fence at the top of the hill and might have hurt himself a bit," said winning trainer Mouse Morris.

"He's done his job now and we'll look for a winners of one or handicap for him in January."

There was drama after the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle with Keith Donoghue weighing in light after the victory of 4-1 favourite Pretty Happy

The John Berry-trained charge had battled well to record a three-quarters of a length victory over Vast Consumption (5-1).

The young claimer failed to draw the correct weight at the scales, however, leading to his disqualification.< Borolee (7-2), a morning gamble on his last start at Naas made up for his first fence fall when taking the Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Chase.< Leblon (15-8), runner-up to Alaivan at Gowran on Friday, denied Ar