Michael Cunningham is hoping Piano Star will now get in the Galway Plate after his battling 12-1 success in the Ladbrokes Midlands National at Kilbeggan.
The eight-year-old was given a great ride by Paddy Flood as the pair reeled in Ruby Walsh on long-time leader Dow Jones and sealed matters with a super jump at the last in the €50,000 feature.
A stewards' inquiry was called but the placings remained unaltered.< Go Native lived up to the promise of his bumper form with a cosy victory on his jumps debut in the Dunvale Fabrications Limited Maiden Hurdle.
Niall Madden was travelling ominously well as he took closer order behind front pair Farinelli and Winterdown Star approaching the second-last and the five-year-old went on just before the final obstacle.
Noel Meade's 11-4 favourite eased away on the run-in to beat Winterdown Star by seven lengths and looks booked for better things.< Montero (12-1) relished the step up to two and three-quarter miles in the Tom McCormack Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle and stormed home in the hands of Roger Loughran.
The Dessie Hughes-trained six-year-old, who was never far off the pace, went on with two to jump and though there were several dangers looming up behind, he stayed on strongly to beat Ahorsecalledmolly by three lengths.
Hughes quickly made it a double when Laura's Light took the three-mile Tommy Scanlon Bar & Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.< Allesandro looked to have his rivals in trouble when he slipped 10 lengths clear approaching the second-last, but 7lb claimer Ian McCarthy had the move covered and gave chase on the eventual winner.
There wasn't much between the pair at the last flight, but Allesandro found little on the run-in and Laura's Light (7-1) swept past to score by two lengths. Favourite Third Level Tom was held up and never got into the race.< Market Watcher took the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Hurdle for the Seamus Fahey yard.
Shane Butler drove the 12-1 shot into the lead on the run to the second-last and though favourite Mhilu gave chase, he had nothing
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