Native Stag was put forward as a Galway Hurdle definite by his trainer Pat Fahy following the 15/8 favourites victory in the featured Dawn Milk Run Hcap Hurdle.
Bringing Ruby Walshs score at the Festival to six, Native Stag went in chase of clear leader Shes So Dainty before four out, led approaching the last and kept on well to score by 1/2L.
The 7yo son of Be My Native will line up in Thursdays Ballybrit highlight, whilst Greenhall Rambler (the GPT) and Quadco (the Plate) will also represent the Leighlinbridge outfit.
Whites Cross, Co. Cork handler, Colman Hennessy saddled his sixth winner (he also had a point-to-point success in that time) in the past eleven months with Shaalayn in the 70-95 hcap hurdle.
The quirky sort got away on terms on this occasion under Martin Ferris and displayed plenty of determination to prevail by a short head over Havetoavit.
Hennessy, currently sporting a sling after breaking his shoulder blade, suggested afterwards, that if he cant attract some new owners (only two horses riding out presently) he may have to quit training.
A run in the fillies hcap the night before (fifth there), served to, in the words of Colm Murphy, wake up, his Somethingforsunday, 4/1 winner of the opening novice hurdle.
Alan Donoghues mount led two and went on to triumph by two lengths from outsider, Bythehokey. She will continue to mix it, between hurdles and flat handicaps.
On the level, Newmarket-trained, Littleton Telchar followed up Tuesday nights win by getting in as a reserve to land division two of the 36-60 hcap under a mandatory 5Ib penalty.
Tadhg OShea led inside the final furlong aboard the market-leader and Limerick next Friday with Galway the week after now on the agenda for the chestnut.
Thomond OMaras Togher Castle is a really admirable type, the 5yo finding the quick going here no problem as he captured his fourth hcap of the campaign in the other divide.
Chris Hayes (leading apprentice with 20 winners), assumed command 1 1/2f out on the 4/1 jt fav and went away for a comfortable 4 1/2L success.
Just about still in front in the riders table, Fran Berry made his first mount back after serving a nine day suspension, a winning one, on Sarima for John Oxx in the maiden.
Meanwhile, Pat Martin trained his third winner in five days, Persian Return supplementing a recent Bellewstown hurdle win in the 2m 1f hcap in the hands of Niall McCullagh.
