< Oilily looks to have booked a place at the Punchestown Festival after walloping her rivals in the www.racinghomeforeaster.com Hurdle at Cork.
A Grade 2 runner-up on Merseyside last spring, the mare gave Davy Russell no cause to break sweat as she tracked the early leaders, though he had to push her to get on terms.
The 9-4 favourite responded well though, and soon put the race to bed, coming home two lengths ahead of Castle Wings < Novarov (11-4 favourite) produced a strong finish to land the valuable UCC SU Handicap Hurdle for trainer John O'Shea.< Mini Vic made a brave fist of things from the front, but top weight Daring Article took a clear lead after the second last.
Sean McDermott was getting a real head of steam out of Novarov, and after jumping the last behind, he sneaked up the far rail to score by a length and a quarter.< Mystic Desir s bid for victory in the Explicit.ie Maiden Hurdle was foiled by the tremendous late burst of Tabhachtach
Shay Slevin's 16-1 chance was well off the pace as Mystic Desir got a length clear of the remainder at the last, but he flew home under Mark Slevin to win by a short head.< Taraval responded gamely to a tenacious Brian Cawley ride to land the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
Charlie Swan's 2-1 favourite was one of a number of chances on the turn for home, but after taking it up two out, he ran on well to beat Mallowney by half a length.
On My Own just got the better of a thrilling duel with Mark Me Up in the CIT SU Handicap Hurdle, Philip Fenton's 15-2 chance coming home a head in front under Brian O'Connell.
Mark Byrne enjoyed a facile victory in the Fegentri World Championship (QR) Handicap Hurdle as the Elizabeth Doyle-trained Sir Loujay (8-1) waltzed to an easy success.
