< Elysian Rock turned in a performance of some promise to win the Glen Chase at Thurles.

Mouse Morris' six-year-old, a recent winner at Cork, outgunned the smart duo of Apt Approach and Catch Me in an absorbing renewal of this three-mile affair.

All three protagonists held a live chance when jumping the fourth-last in unison, but Elysian Rock was travelling the strongest after having edged in front at the next fence.

Apt Approach came back for more, however, and even regained a slender advantage after the last.

But Elysian Rock (11-2) had a shade more left in the tank on the run-in and came home a length clear under Martin Ferris, with Catch Me only third.

The rest of the card was dominated by Dessie Hughes, who recorded a treble.

The handler's Rick defied a 273-day layoff to make a winning start to his campaign in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle.

Last sighted pulling up in a Grade Two in February, the 9-2 chance picked it up approaching three out and found plenty for Paddy Flood, pulling a length and a half clear of Oscar Time

Hughes said: "We may go now for the three-mile hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting."

Hughes and Flood then doubled up through Western Charmer who was also making his seasonal reappearance in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

The trainer added: "The plan is to step him up in trip and go for the Grade One three-mile novice at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting."

Hughes' hat-trick was complete when Quiet Thought (11-8) justified favouritism under 5lb claimer Bryan Cooper in the Thurles Maiden Hurdle.

Hughes added: "Hopefully she can get some black type at some stage," said Hughes."

Jimmy Mangan's Quarryvale made every yard of the running and jumped her rivals silly in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, while the Holycross Maiden Hurdle went to 22-1 outsider Fists Of Fury trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by Davy Russell.

Seamus Fahey's Tawrific Laois (5-1 favourite) claimed the concluding Munster Handicap Hurdle.

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