Ballycasey stands off beautifully under Paul Townend from Moscow Mannon© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins displayed his team's impressive power with a Gowran Park four-timer highlighted by the success of Ballycasey in the feature Race That Stops A County 'Thyestes Jan 22nd 2015' Chase.
Paul Townend set off in the lead on the 4-6 favourite, a Grade One winner in novice company last season, and the grey jumped much better than market rival Moscow Mannon all the way round.
He eased clear going to the final fence and after a splendid leap, ran on strongly to see off Followmeuptocarlow by five and a half lengths, with Moscow Mannon plugging on for a disappointing third.
Mullins introduced impressive bumper scorer Tell Us More to obstacles in the www.gowranpark.ie Maiden Hurdle and the market suggested defeat was out of the question for the Gigginstown challenger, who was sent off a 1-5 chance.
Bryan Cooper set off in front and had the opposition in trouble jumping the third-last, after which the imposing five-year-old stretched 11 lengths clear without coming off the bridle.
Next up for the Closutton maestro was French import Douvan (8-15 favourite), who put in a slick round on his Irish debut to win the Santa Train At Gowran Park Novice Hurdle with considerable ease, readily going clear to score by 12 lengths under Townend.
The quartet was completed by the Cooper-ridden Don Poli (11-10 favourite), who led over the last four obstacles on his fencing debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase before holding fellow Gigginstown runner Wounded Warrior by two and a half lengths.
Charles O'Brien's 8-1 shot Prussian Eagle made a mess of the final flight in the Santa Train Bookings At www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, but Mark Walsh got him back on an even keel and he collared the Mullins-trained favourite Buiseness Sivola to win by a length and a half.
Francis McCurtin drove Love On Top (8-1) to a hard-fought victory in the Gowran Park Racing Club Membership 2015 For 100 Euro Mares Handicap Hurdle, while Indian Fairy s last-fence fall eased the way for Philip Enright to take the Irish Raci
