Punters could have been justifiably disappointed with the size of the field for the Grade 3 Bradstock Insurance Novice Chase, a poor looking contest for the £24,000 on offer with only five horses facing the starter.
Barry Cash was on hand to benefit from Conor O'Dwyer's decision to sit out today on the sidelines after injuring a shoulder in a work fall, when steering the consistent Zourito to a one and a half length victory over the strongly fancied Go Roger Go.
A winner at Listowel last month, the gelding took full advantage of Grange Leaders fall in the back straight to open up a two length advantage over Go Roger Go. The two jumped the last upsides each other but it was the Arthur Moore trained animal that found most on the run in.
'He is a super horse with a great temperament. Barry (Cash) gave him a super ride'
Tryphaena could now be aimed at the Galway Hurlde after Willie Mullins' charge landed a massive gamble to win the Murphy International Handicap Hurdle by two lengths from stable mate Galeogan.
The winner, regarded as a useful dual-purpose handicapper, was widely available at 6/1 this morning but after a substantial gamble on the track the filly was returned a hot 11/4 favourite.
Ruby Walsh had kept his mount handy in the 24 runner field making his move on the leaders approaching the second last. Stable compatriot Gaelogan set sail for home and was only pegged back approaching the final flight.
'She is a game horse and her little engine compensates for her lack of natural pace', said Willie Mullins.
Mullins added: 'She only gets going at two miles and she will go on any ground. We would not rule out a run in the Galway Hurdle.'
Permit holder Marie Barnwell recorded the first winner of the festival meeting when training Digacre to win the Ernst & Young Steeplechase (For The Ladies Perpetual Cup). The 10/1 chance was winning the race for the second successive year. Enda Bolger had four representatives in the three mile event and captured the second and third prizes with Buailtes And Fadas and Tearaway King respectively.
'We trained the horse specifically for this race and the good ground was to his liking', explained the winning trainer.
Pauls Run was the bold front running winner of the Rohcon Construction Handicap chase while owner JP McManus secured the prize in the bumper when newcomer Kickham quickened best in the closing stages to win impressively by four and a half lengths
