Killarney survived a precautionary inspection at 7.30am, but racing took place in constant heavy rain, on soft to heavy ground conditions.
Jockeys Ruby Walsh and Seamus Heffernan and trainer David Wachman each recorded doubles on the eight race card.
Walsh won the opening 2m6f Beginners Chase on the Frances Crowley trained Rockwell Island. The Kildare jockey brought the son of Satco through to lead after the second last and made use of the better ground along the stands rail before defeating Torose by nine lengths. The win was Crowley's first training success since moving to her new training base at The Curragh.
Half an hour later Walsh again opted for the stands rail when winning on Henry De Bromhead's Curfew Tolls in division one of the 2m4f Handicap Chase. The 9/2 favourite defeated Friendly Conflict by four and a half lengths and De Bromhead later mentioned 'I was a little concerned about the soft ground but Ruby said it was loose ground and was easy to gallop through.'
David Wachman landed the Ross Derby Club Maiden with Cork Bumper winner Native Churchtown. Seamus Heffernan's mount may now join the long list of Galway Festival hopefuls.
In the Sundays Well Properties Handicap, Wachman's Silvergino defied topweight of 9st10lbs when defeating Soft Mist by seven lengths for Seamus Heffernan.
The featured E30,000 Murphy's Handicap Hurdle was won by the Edward O'Grady trained Windsor Boy after benefitting from the final flight fall of Best Wait. Jockey Keith Hadnett had brought Best Wait through with a well timed challenge only for his mount to fall heavily at the last. O'Grady stated 'we were fortunate here. A flat or hurdle race at Galway is next on Windsor Boy's agenda.'
There was a sad concludion to the second division of the 2m4f chase when the David Broad trained Prince Wot A Mess died shortly after putting up a gutsy display to hold the challenge of Multeen Jet to win for jockey Barry Cash while Charlie Swan's The Dark Flasher provided Cloughjordan apprentice Denis Hogan with his first win in the 1m3f Handicap.
The rain had just cleared when Liz Doyle partnered 14/1 newcomer Burntoakboy to win the concluding Ladies Bumper. The winning rider was clearly delighted as she punched the air after passed the post on Nicky Nelson's gelding.
There will be an inspection of the track tomorrow at 7.30am to see if the final day's racing will go ahead.
Thomas Weekes.
