< Noland provided the silver lining for under-fire jockey Sam Thomas as he landed the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase for the powerful Paul Nicholls team.

Last year's winner The Listener set out to make all in the testing conditions he loves, but he relinquished the lead to Noland when he made a hash of the fourth-last fence.

The Grade One race looked to be at the mercy of Noland (9-4) at that stage, but The Listener battled on gamely and rallied to get to within half a length at the line.< War Of Attrition was far from disgraced, staying on really well to finish third, a further seven lengths away.

Noel Meade's Go Native was given a classic Paul Carberry ride to win the Listed INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle in impressive style.< Jaffonnien attempted to make all, but was joined by China Rock at the second-last flight, where Go Native (7-2) was travelling particularly sweetly in behind.

China Rock made the best of his way home, but Carberry eased Go Native upsides and it was simply a question of when he would press the button, which he did on the run-in to nudge clear by one and three-quarter lengths.< Pesoto built up a long lead in the Irish Racing Yearbook Beginners Chase and looked to have the prize in the bag as he jumped the last with a four-length lead over Joncol

But the grey stopped to nothing in the final 100 yards and Tom Doyle galvanized Paul Nolan's 11-4 favourite to grab the race in the shadow of the post.< Persian City and Shirley Casper were sent off 9-4 joint-favourites for the Oyster Group Maiden Hurdle, and they had the finish to themselves.

Shirley Casper took the lead on the turn into the straight, but Persian City was hot on her heels and after they jumped the last together, Paul Townend drove out Willie Mullins' charge to win by two lengths.< Kilcrea Castle (6-1) had to dig deep to land the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Handicap Chase.

Davy Russell jumped the six-year-old into the lead at the third-last, but Bluesea Cracker put in a determined challenge down the straight and ther

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