Golden Cross, a winner 3 times on the flat this year, created a favourable impression at Fairyhouse this afternoon when he made a winning debut over hurdles in the betfair.com Juvenile Hurdle.
The 2/12f travelled ominously well throughout for Charlie Swan before he collared front-running Mirpour on the run to the final flight to score with 4L to spare over the former John Oxx inmate with Dashing Home (7/4f), 6L adrift in 3rd.
Winning trainer Mick Halford had no hesitation in nominating the Dennys Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown next for the winner.
The former champion Charlie Swan was seen at his brilliant best later in the day when he conjured up a winning effort on Over The First to win a thrilling Ladbroke Racing Handicap Hurdle.
Swan, who trains the 7yo for the Trotters Trading Syndicate, said, 'He loves that soft ground and he'll probably go back chasing after that.'
Foxchapel King put his disappointing effort (pu) in the Jim Nicholson Chase behind him when he made every yard a winning one under Barry Geraghty to defy top-weight in the Duggan Brothers Porterstown Handicap Chase.
After drifting from even money to start 5/4f, Sir Tony O'Reilly's jumped well and came home clear of No Problem with last year's Irish Grand National hero Davis Lad, a never threatening fourth.
Geraghty, like Swan, later completed a brace to share the riding honours for the afternoon when he produced Turtleback after the final flight to forge past Star Clipper to land the Tote Exacta Hurdle.
Owned by multi-millionaire financier Dermot Desmond, Edward O'Grady's charge earned a 33/1 quote from Cashmans for the 2003 Champion Hurdle.
Noel Meade, who was lost for words regarding how early Dashing Home came off the bridle in the opener, had better luck in the next when Woodys Deep Ocean and Ian Power opened his account over hurdles.
Meade later completed a double when he saddled Mark The Man (4/5-1/1f) to justify favouritism in the finale.
Punters, who supported Arthur Moore's The Gatherer from 4/1 to 3/1f to make a winning bow over fences in the Beginners Chase, looked set to collect when Conor O'Dwyer appeared to be travelling well behind front-running Fota Island turning for home.
But, JP McManus' gelding crashed out at the third last and, from off the pace, One Night Out and Shay Barry stayed on under a strong drive to sweep to the front after jumping the last to land the spoils.
