Trainer Dessie Hughes and jockey Roger Loughran combined to record a double at Kilbeggan tonight, moving Loughran to within two winners of losing his right to claim.
Hughes' first winner came at the main expense of favourite backers, when Very Green proved too strong for Noel Meade's 4/6 favourite Orbit O'Gold in the opening Sponsor A Race At Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle.
Very Green chased the leaders before moving through to lead after two out, eventually staying on well for a comfortable ten length win.
Afterwards, Hughes reported 'we'll go for a winners' hurdle at Punchestown on May 20 next.'
Hughes' Akhtari proved an appropriate winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, proving 11 lengths too strong for Mouse Morris' Lisadell King.
Akhtari carries the colours of Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud's Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition who had earlier been paraded at the course.
In the winner's enclosure, winning owner O'Leary was heard to remark, tongue-in-cheek, to his Gold Cup winning trainer 'you're old news now Mouse!'
Monasterevin based trainer Jarlath Fahey's long-term investment in Aoife's Tiny paid handsome rewards, with the daughter of Norwich winning her first race, in the Bridge House Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Nicky O'Shea, Aoife's Tiny raced in mid division before moving through to lead before the second last, staying on well for a four and a half length success.
A delighted Fahey later mentioned 'I bought her as a foal for #600, along with Ciara's Surprise (also a winner over hurdles) for #400, but the only way I could justify buying them was to say they were for the kids, so I named the horses after them!'
He added 'Aoife's Tiny goes on any ground and will be kept going.'
Trainer Denis Ahern's three and a quarter hour drive return trip to Co Cork won't seem as far, having trained Il Mulino to win the Sean Hughes Memorial Mullingar Park Hotel Handicap Hurdle, under Davy Russell.
Ahern later reported 'he was a good winner at Clonmel a while ago but has had lots of muscle problems. He won't run on hard ground but may come back here again in a few weeks time.'
Willie Austin's Handfull Of Euros landed the Hilamar Hotel Kinnegad Maiden Hurdle, under Kevin Koleman.
Afterwards, Austin reported 'she'll have another run, probably at Punchestown in a few weeks, and she prefers softer ground.'
Champion trainer Noel Meade was on the mark when Seisiun Eile, under Denis O'Regan, arrived late to head Kings Orchard on the line, in the M.A. Stephens & Co Handicap Chase.
Meade later mentioned 'Seisiun Eile likes an ease in the ground but may go for another handicap chase before having a break.'
Meade completed a double in the bumper, when Sigma Digital scored under the always reliable Nina Carberry.
