< Sizing Europe rolled back the years to land the Boylesports.com Champion Chase on the first day of the Punchestown Festival.

The 2012 winner was always going well and responded in good style when Andrew Lynch sent him to the front before two out.

Hendry de Bromhead's 12-year-old brought the house down as he pulled five and a half lengths clear of Ballynagour who touched off Savello for second place.

There was drama earlier in the race when 7-2 favourite Hidden Cyclone fell at the fifth.

Tony McCoy partnered Carlingford Lough to victory in the Growise Champion Novice Chase.

After Morning Assembly and Don Cossack cut out much of the running, it was Ballycasey and John Kiely's 7-2 shot who hit the last in front together, before the winner's superior stamina saw him stretch four and a quarter lengths clear.

The drop back to two miles proved no issue for Faugheen as he made all with ease in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.

Those who took the 1-2 about the Willie Mullins inmate following up his Cheltenham Festival success never had an anxious moment as Ruby Walsh kicked clear turning for home and cruised home by 12 lengths from his stablemate Valseur Lido

Mullins completed a double when Very Much So (12-1) benefited from a fine ride by young pilot Johnny Burke to deny Snow Falcon by three-quarters of a length in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper.

There was a familiar feel to the opening Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase as Nina Carberry carried JP McManus' silks to victory on the Enda Bolger-trained Be Positive who justified 3-1 favouritism with 11 lengths to spare from Phar And Away

Barry Geraghty timed his challenge perfectly on Cool Macavity (9-1) in the bragbet.com Handicap Hurdle, with Nicky Henderson's charge storming past front-runner City Slicker to score by two lengths.< Forgotten Rules (evens fav) ran out a facile 13-length winner from Alamein in the closing O'Reilly Recruitment Flat Race.