The Arthur Moore-trained Feathered Leader came good in no uncertain terms when scoring a valuable success in the David Austin Memorial Novice Handicap Chase.
Moore appeared somewhat relieved after the Grade 1 contest admitting the horse could be 'frustrating at times.' He continued: 'The owners have been so understanding and patient with him.'
Travelling in rear for most of the race, Norman Williamson brought Feathered Leader through the pack and sat poised on the heels of Shannon Gale and Valley Erne approaching the second last.
Shannon Gale smacked through the fence allowing the winner to close. Valley Erne had taken the lead five from home and continued his relentless gallop going to the last.
Williamson, by now hard at work on the winner, headed Valley Erne over the last and held off the challenge of Shannon Gale by two-and-a-half lengths to record a memorable victory.
'He has had a difficult campaign but seemed to relish the good ground. We really couldn't set this up any better,' quipped Moore.
'It was a typical Norman ride and we think this is actually the first winner he has rode for us. We are considering running him in the Galway Plate,' added Moore.
The second last fence has claimed its victims during the week and once more it was to play a crucial role in the outcome of the Lawlors of Naas/Poitin Still Handicap Chase.
Warm favourite Donadino looked to be cruising on the heels of the leaders when Tacolino fell, bringing down David Casey's mount. This left Johnny Brushaside and Feeling Grand to fight out the closing stages.
After matching each other over the last, it was Barry Geraghty aboard the Henry de Bromhead-trained Feeling Grand that received most from his mount and the combination battled on to pip Johnny Brushaside by a neck.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead said afterwards: 'This is my sixth training success since taking over from my father on January 1st. You just can't go wrong with Barry Geraghty.'
He added: 'We thought about running him in the Galway Plate but Barry believes he may not get the trip.'
Tony McCoy, who celebrated his 26th birthday yesterday, conjured up a remarkable finish aboard Zahari to deny Kapok and The Indispensable victory in the Ellier Developments Ltd Hurdle.
Zahari, who raced up with the pace throughout, looked beat when Kapok, cruising in the hands of Norman Williamson, headed him before the last. But Williamson's mount jumped the last flight 'real big' allowing Zahari to fight back on the rails.
The Indispensable, attempting to give JP McManus his second winner of the day, was finishing best of all but Zahari had done enough on the rails to take the prize by half a length.
Winning trainer Venetia Williams declared the horse is soon to be gelded. Tony McCoy praised the 'bravery' of the winner when saying: 'He battled well. He is only a young horse and was so brave to squeeze through again on the rails.'
Denise Foster gained her first racecourse training success when Polaris Flame trounced her rivals by 15 lengths to win the opening Kildare Chilling Hunters Chase.
Under pressure after the second last, the 2/1 favourite got back on terms and headed the tiring Meal Ticket, stealing a two length lead jumping the final fence. The consistent seven-year-old, partnered by Peter Buchanan, extended her stride to win comfortably.
Testify powered up the home straight to record the most surprising of victories in the betinternet.com Handicap Hurdle.
The 33/1 chance had two-and-a-half-lengths to spare over Bannow Bay, who was staying on well. Testify was giving 20 year-old Gary Hutchinson, stable lad to Grand National winners Papillon and Commanche Court, his first winning ride at the meeting.
The win was not a surprise to one lucky winner who held the only jackpot unit riding on Michael O'Connor's gelding. The winner, Mr Eamon Fahy from Dublin, collected £41,019.70 becoming the second single winner of the jackpot this week.
More fortune was to follow for Mr Fahy when he won the draw for the BMW car that the tote had on offer for any single winner of the jackpot. A draw was made in the parade ring between Mr Fahy and Mrs Carmel O'Brien who one the jackpot prize on Tuesday.
Willie Mullins kept up his tremendous record at the meeting, scoring his fourth winner of the festival after Ballyamber claimed the concluding Naas Traders Flat Race.
In front from a long way out, the winner quickened nicely in the hands of James Nash to hold off the fast finishing Sparkling Gold by two-and-a-half lengths.
Amber Dikel and Bernadine Mulryan, joint owners of Ballyamber, were both recording their second success of the week with Amberleigh House and Dovaly respectively having also triumphed for the owners individually.
