Paul Carberry recorded his first winner since breaking his left leg at Fairyhouse last October when taking the Lake District Maiden Hurdle aboard Eden Royale at Ballinrobe yesterday.
The Ratoath rider only returned to the racecourse this week, and that Fairyhouse fall came on his first ride back after suffering a knee injury the previous month at the Listowel Festival.
Eden Royale benefitted from a final flight blunder by Assessed to score by three lengths, and Carberry confirmed his well-being afterwards saying: 'The leg feels fine, and a few more races like that will get me back to full race fitness'.
Reigning champion Barry Geraghty moved onto the 57 winner mark for the season when completing a 59/1 double aboard Mostovio and Jaguar Claw.
Mostovio led off the home turn before stretching clear to beat the well-backed favourite Imperial Light by 11 lengths in the Jimmy Tierney Memorial Maiden Hurdle, while Jaguar Claw stayed on gamely from two out to deny Theres No Doubt by six lengths in the Mayo News Handicap Hurdle.
Eamon Sheehy and Kieran Gaule teamed up to take the Mayo EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle with the progressive topweight Cronin's Boy, and connections are considering a switch to the Flat soon with the seven-year-old.
