Ibsen jumps the last alongside Unic De Bersy© Photo Healy Racing
< Ibsen got off the mark over jumps on his first start for Gordon Elliott in the Downe (C & G) Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.
The six-year-old, twice a winner on the Flat in 2012 when with John Murphy, was having his first start for nearly a year but was sent off the 11-8 favourite in the hands of Kevin Sexton, who executed a patient ride.
Creeping into the action on the final circuit, Sexton had long-time leader Unic De Bersy well covered as they neared the final flight and waited until jumping it before popping the question, at which point Ibsen cleared away to win by four lengths.
Elliott doubled up when Le Grand Chene (5-1), on just his second start for the yard, came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Celebrity Judges Handicap Chase, grabbing favourite Halls Bridge close home in the hands of Bryan Cooper to win by a head.
The County Meath handler made it a treble when newcomer Ultimate Horseman (5-4 favourite) pulled out the stops for Nina Carberry to ward off Itshard To No by two and three-quarter lengths in the closing Ballroom Foxtrot INH Flat Race.
A change of scenery also worked as Redclue (7-2), debuting for Gillian Callaghan, swept into the lead between the final two flights in the Strictly At Downpatrick Races Handicap Hurdle and stormed 20 lengths clear under Danny Mullins to break his duck.< Josephine Marcus ran out when holding every chance at the second-last at Limerick last time but Noel Meade's charge made amends with a solid performance in the Living The Dream Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Wearing first-time blinkers, the 10-3 chance raced in second place for most of the way in the hands of claimer Ger Fox and though there were three in line on the home turn, she proved the strongest and forged clear to beat favourite Feel The Air by two lengths.
Edward O'Grady's 3-1 chance Getting Late travelled best entering the closing stages in the Waltz From A Samba Maiden Hurdle and quickly asserted when asked to quicken up after the last by Mark Walsh, running on well to score by five and a half length
