< Landofhopeandglory got his career over fences up and running with victory in the Carmel Fay Memorial Novice Chase at Kilbeggan.
Only fourth on his chasing bow a fortnight ago, last season's smart juvenile hurdler was better this time, although he still put in a few sketchy leaps, not least at the last when going head to head with Go Forty Go
The 6-4 favourite got to the other side, though, and his class and weight allowance told on the run to the line as he came a length and three-quarters clear.
No more than four lengths separated nine of them as they jumped two out in the Midlands National Ladies Day July 21st Handicap Hurdle but by the time they got to the last, front-running favourite Lachares was back in a clear lead.
He took it well and Davy Russell drove out Ellmarie Holden's 3-1 chance to account for Petuna by a length and three-quarters.< Miss Sapphire displayed tremendous resolution to come out on top in the Add Kilbegganraces On Snapchat Novice Hurdle.
Willie Mullins' 9-4 joint-favourite looked likely to be swallowed up more than once as she battled away at the head of affairs, but answered every question put to her by Danny Mullins and beat her market rival Mr Showtime by two and a half lengths.
Don't Kick Nor Bite beat Miss Sapphire twice over hurdles on her last two starts but couldn't capitalise on a comparatively lenient mark over the larger obstacles, managing only fourth behind Black Zambezi (5-2) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase.< Cinema De Quartier (15-8) made it second-time lucky over obstacles in the Book Online At www.kilbegganraces.com Maiden Hurdle.
No match for the exciting Lac Kivu at Punchestown, Henry de Bromhead's charge met nothing of that calibre here and strolled away from even-money favourite Monarch to score by 17 lengths.
The split Greville Arms Hotel Mullingar Handicap Hurdle went to Queeny (15-2) and 2-1 favourite Cairnshill while Scully's Dream won the Summer Party Pack Discount Group Booking Flat Race.
