Philip Fenton called time on a wonderful career as he bowed out with a victory on his last ride, LAntartique, despite a wayward course in the straight, keeping on best for a length verdict in the bumper.
Four times champion amateur in Ireland and also a title winner cross-channel, the 38-year-old Limerick rider ended his time in the saddle with a score of 338 winners.
Rumoured to be ready for retirement when this fellow scored on his debut, Fenton was to end here win lose or draw and how fitting it was that Tony Mullins charge passed the post in front.
Ballygowan Beauty has livened up many a Kerry meeting in the past, and after an amazing performance last time that lit up Tralee, the 12yo was at it again in the 3m hcap hurdle.
Brian Byrnes (his third winner) had an armchair ride on the 8/1 chance, leading early in the straight travelling well, but the pair had to overcome an unusual incident on the approach to the last.
Riderless fav, Harbour View was seen to attempt to bite Tommy Walkers gelding, but Byrnes safely got his partner over the final flight and they stayed on well for a clear-cut 4L win.
A sea of well-wishers gathered in the winners enclosure to greet the local hero with Walker exclaiming, what can I say? Hell run again here on Saturday.
Michael Hourigan (Ballygowan Beautys former handler) had no doubt where the credit lay for the 1 1/2L victory of The Screamer in the featured Smithwicks Beer Hcap Hurdle.
He said of Paul Carberry, who took over the lead at the last on the 14/1 stable outsider, he done a fabulous job, hes a genius. He let the reins dangle and she just lobbed away.
Hourigan then elaborated on the 7yo mare, who began her career with a bumper win here back in 2001, she got a leg and refused to go in foal and this is great for the owner who is from the locality.
Maralan completed a 15/1 double for John Oxx and Michael Kinane in the 1m 4f hcap, the eight times previously raced maiden staying on well to triumph by 2 1/2L.
Penny Rich was the gamble here, heading the betting at 6/4, but the Fran Berry-ridden 10yo couldnt raise his effort when asked, managing no better than fifth.
Mustameet (ground conditions) missed his engagement in the 1m maiden, this leaving the way for well-touted newcomer Zarad to go off market-leader and initiate the brace for the Currabeg team.
The son of Selkirk justified his reputation, leading over a furlong out in the hands of Kinane before drawing clear for an easy 3 1/2L victory.
Mick Fitzgerald deputised for a sore Ruby Walsh (took a fall yesterday) aboard Aimees Mark in the beginners chase, and he gained his first winner at the track on the Francis Flood-trained gelding.
Getting a tremendous run out of the 9/2 shot after landing in third at the last, it was only near the finish that the 8yo got to the front, depriving Darby Wall (not fluent at the last) by 1/2L.
Unfortunately for Walsh, he missed another success as Dermot Weld completed a double in the maiden hurdle, Barry Geraghty taking over on Tasman to make all, beating gambled-on Wing Of Fire by 4L.
Set In Motion only narrowly lost out last time and he deservedly got off the mark in the opening maiden at the fifth time of asking, sparking off the Rosewell House two-timer.
Pat Smullen brought the 11/10 fav wide into the straight and the chestnut showed a willing attitude to assert inside the final furlong for a 2L win.
