Vics Canvas and Conor Maxwell jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
< Vics Canvas returned to his very best form to demolish the opposition in the feature Paddy Power Cork Grand National at Cork.
Ridden by Conor Maxwell for Dermot McLoughlin, the veteran travelled supremely well throughout the three-and-a-half-mile contest and could be spotted going easily from a long way out as the pressure was turned on up front.
The 11-year-old (14-1) jumped alongside A Decent Excuse in the lead at the third-last fence and was always going to win from then on, and he popped over the last two before forging clear to beat the favourite Dushrembrandt by 10 lengths.
The Willie Mullins-trained Perfect Gentleman made it two from two over fences when he got the better of favourite Sadler's Risk in a duel for the Grade Three Paddy Power Cash Card Click & Collect EBF Novice Chase.
Ruby Walsh brought the 10-3 chance up to challenge at the final fence and though the rider lost his whip halfway up the run-in, his mount responded generously and got on top to score by three lengths.
The Mullins-Walsh combination were also successful with Nichols Canyon (1-4 favourite), who brought high-class Flat form into the Paddy Power Betting Shops Maiden Hurdle and looked the part as he eased away from Baily Cloud to win by a length.
Mags Mullins' 11-4 chance Martello Tower produced a gutsy show under Adrian Heskin to land the Grade Three Paddy Power Collect Winning Bets In Any Shop EBF Novice Hurdle, taking it up in mid-race and holding off Ask Vic by three-quarters of a length when the favourite put in what looked a winning run.
Andrew McNamara rode a patient race to win the Paddy Power Best In Betting Value EBF Maiden Hurdle on the Robert Tyner-trained Pulled Mussel (3-1), gradually reeling in Mike McCann to score cosily by a length and a quarter.
Mikey Fogarty jumped into the lead three out on Thomas James's Burning Issues in the Paddy Power Daily Double Odds Specials Handicap Hurdle and the 5-1 shot followed up his Gowran strike by surging four and a half lengths clear.