Willie Mullins' Bagber made the perfect start to a career jumping with an impressive success in the Tetratema "Son Of The Tetrarch" Maiden Hurdle.

Still travelling nicely going to two out just behind the leaders, he jumped the last a little awkwardly but was swiftly back on the bridle for Paul Townend and eased clear of 13-8 favourite Princeton Plains for a two-length success.

Bagber was three times a winner on the Flat, most recently for the late Peter Monteith.

Wining owner Allan McLuckie said: "I'm from Ayrshire, 25 miles south west of Glasgow. Peter bought him so this win is for him.

"I have two others with Willie, Deutschland and Inspector Clouseau, so that's why I sent this fellow over too.

"He was a bit novicey at a few jumps today, but you'd have to be quite happy with that for his first run over hurdles."

Mullins and Townend had to settle for second in the following Great Oak Maiden Hurdle as Philip Rothwell's Rathlin readily accounted for Sicilian Secret

As expected the two market leaders fought out the finish and it was 15-8 second-favourite Rathlin who came out on top, Davy Russell taking it up at halfway.

Sicilian Secret drew upsides going to the final flight but the Gigginstown Stud-owned Rathlin sailed over it and came nicely clear.

Rothwell said: "I think the world of him and his owners have supported me very well.

"I think he's the type of horse that would be better in a championship race where they'd go a better pace."< The Sneezer brought up the hat-trick with victory in the feature Shamrock Handicap Chase.

Tom Doyle sent him past the pace-setting Newmill rounding the final bend, but Dr Whizz was travelling powerfully in his slipstream.

However, the latter took a crashing fall three out, leaving The Sneezer (7-2) clear and he had enough in reserve to hold the challenges of Just Friends and Sizing America < Viking Splash was a winner to note in the Point-to-Point Weekly In The Irish Post Tetratema Perpetual Cup Hunters Chase, being as it was a first success over fences in Ireland f