Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
< Toner D'Oudairies completed a hat-trick when winning the Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase at Punchestown.
Sporting the third-string colours for Gigginstown House Stud, Gordon Elliott's 8-1 chance was given a patient ride by Bryan Cooper before jumping his way to the front at the final fence and going away to score by three-quarters of a length.
The six-year-old got the better of stablemate Roi Du Mee who had scored in the previous two renewals of this Grade Three, while Mouse Morris's high-class First Lieutenant could only manage third on his seasonal reappearance.< Art Of Logistics made it two victories from as many starts over the larger obstacles, but was only workmanlike under Cooper in the Buck House Novice Chase.
Sent off at even-money on the back of a pleasing Gowran Park performance, Dessie Hughes' charge had to be rousted along for a few strides to get on terms with the front-running Six Stone Ned approaching the turn for home, but he soon asserted his authority and stayed on well for a five-and-a-half-length call.
That completed a brace for Hughes after Somethingwonderful (15-8) - another to carry the Gigginstown colours into the winner's enclosure - handed out a length-and-three-quarter beating to Park Ranger in the Buy Your 2014 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.< Cailin Annamh registered a four-timer in the Grabel Mares Hurdle.
Jessie Harrington's ultra-progressive 8-11 market leader had three rivals ahead of her turning into the straight and appeared a bit flat-footed, but she suddenly hit top gear to take the lead at the last and ran right the way to the line to cross it five lengths ahead of Little King Robin < Tabhachtach (7-1) stayed on powerfully after the final flight to win the 10 Euro Admission All Non Festival Racedays Handicap Hurdle, while Too Late To Sell came good in the Ingoldsby (QR) Handicap Chase.
