Smart bumper performer Luska Lad made a fine start to his career over obstacles in the Corrib Food Products Maiden Hurdle at Galway, the first leg of a treble on the card for jockey Ruby Walsh.

John Joseph Hanlon's five-year-old was sent off at 1-2 for his hurdling introduction and although Walsh had to get to work on the run-in, he stayed on strongly to score by two and a half lengths.

Hanlon said: "That was very good. We were hoping he'd do it that way.

"We'll probably bring him for a two-mile-two race at Down Royal on the Friday of the big meeting. Cheltenham in November is another option."

Walsh later teamed up with boss Willie Mullins as 9-4 favourite Beroni took the John Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle on his his first start for the trainer.

"That was great. It was a nice opportunity for him and it's his maiden win over hurdles," said Mullins.

"He looks well enough handicapped. He has an entry in the Hennessy in Newbury and I wouldn't be worried about the trip at all there."

The hat-trick was completed in the Castlegar Handicap Chase as Walsh guided Davy Fitzgerald's Operation Houdini (9-2) to a hard-fought victory.

Fitzgerald said: "Off his mark he's done what he was expected to.

"He might go for the Troytown at Navan now and the Welsh National is the long-term plan."

Odds-on backers had more reason to cheer in the Diamond Vision Novice Hurdle as Charlie Swan's 2-9 favourite Last Draw notched his third successive victory.

Swan said: "He is going to make a lovely chaser in time. He might have one or two more hurdle runs before he goes chasing around Christmas. He'll get further."< Lucky At Last (7-1) beat off the talented hurdler Torphichen in the www.swordsecurity.com Race, while the Paul McNamee Memorial INH Flat Race went the way of 4-1 shot Tornedo Shay