< Monksland (6-5) made a winning return to action at Galway, but only after a terrific tussle with Marinero in the Ryans Cleaning Chase.

Noel Meade's dual Grade One runner-up was forced to watch on for much of the 2m6f contest as Marinero produced a stellar round of steeplechasing from the front and came away from the final fence with a seemingly decisive advantage.

However, Monskland has plenty of class was able to claw back the deficit on the long run-in before grabbing the lead in the shadows of the post to prevail by a head.

Meade enjoyed a fine afternoon at the Ballybrit venue with three winners, the first of which came courtesy of Le Martalin who made a striking impression when victorious on his hurdles debut in the opening Mervue Maiden Hurdle.

Always to the fore, the 4-5 market leader could be seen travelling ominously well as they turned for home and jockey Sean Flanagan was still motionless as his mount breezed into the lead.

The recent Listowel bumper winner only extended his lead from there on in and was 17 lengths to the good as he crossed the winning line.

The third leg of the treble came in the concluding Jamie Kyne Memorial INH Flat Race as 7-4 favourite Moulin A Vent wore down market rival Brelade by half a length.

Cheltenham Festival hero Diamond King looks to have a huge future after he routed his rivals in the galwayraces.com Beginners Chase.

Despite an alarming late market drift, Diamond King was still sent off at odds of 4-5 and looked a natural on his first assignment over the larger obstacles, jumping like an old hand on his way to an effortless 14 length victory.< Eiri Na Casca (7-1) landed the decent pot on offer in the Guinness Handicap Chase, arriving late on the scene to deny top-weight Bashful Beauty by half a length.