< Action Master (9-1) spoilt the party as he had Sublimity back in fourth in the Motivate Challenge Supported By Failte Ireland Hurdle at Punchestown.
Robbie Hennessy's former Champion Hurdle hero was bowing out in the event and although he travelled with his customary ease towards the rear, he found very little in the straight and finished fourth.
At the business end, hot favourite Won In The Dark challenged between horses going to the last, but he didn't stick his neck out like the Dessie Hughes-trained Action Master, who ran on best for a three-length call.
Hughes and jockey Bryan Cooper were already on the scoresheet at that point thanks to Great Value (9-2), who repelled the late lunge of Seader in the Harbour View Construction (C & G) Maiden Hurdle, while the 'Tote Trifecta Rollover' Handicap Hurdle went the way of Edward O'Grady's Kitty's Lord < Archie Boy (5-2 favourite) regained the winning thread in the www.motivatechallenge.com Chase.
Paul Flynn's nine-year-old finished two places behind Aran Concerto when fourth at Killarney earlier this month but disputed the lead with that reopposing rival over this shorter trip.
He seized the initiative outright rounding the turn and bounded up the straight to inflict a three-and-a-half-length defeat on Skip Two
His rider Davy Russell followed up on Dazzling Susie in the jogforjockeys.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Confirming the promise of her Festival fourth in the Grade One bumper here, the 11-10 market leader looked booked for second when Jacksonslady loomed up, but she responded to all of Russell's urgings to prevail by half a length.< Lion Na Bearnai ran out a gallant winner of the Conyngham Cup (QR) Handicap Chase.
There were plenty of rivals queueing up to challenge the 10-1 shot as he jumped the last in the lead, but he pulled out plenty for Matt O'Connor and grimly fended off Optimum Force by a neck, although the latter lost second in the stewards' room as a result of some scrimmaging.
