Willie Mullins made some inroads into Gordon Elliott's lead in the title race with a Fairyhouse double headlined by Al Boum Photo s success in the Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase.
Responsible for putting Ruby Walsh back on the sidelines when falling in the RSA, the 11-2 chance was dropped back to two and a half miles, but had work to do when Elliott's favourite Shattered Love went for home two out.
She took the last slowly, though, and Al Boum Photo seized the initiative, slipping up her inside under David Mullins to triumph by a length.< Laurina took the step up to Grade One company in her stride in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final.
Mullins' bloodless Cheltenham Festival heroine, who was sent off the red-hot 2-11 favourite, cruised to the front shortly after jumping the penultimate obstacle and Paul Townend was motionless in the saddle as she sauntered eight and a half lengths away from Lackaneen Leader < Pallasator s Flat class came to the fore in the Grade Two Underwriting Exchange Novice Hurdle.
Never too far from the pace, the Elliott-trained 12-1 chance, who has taken a little while to warm to his jumping task, was clear at the last when making a mistake, but regained his momentum to fend off Jetz by two and a quarter lengths.< Bel Ami De Sivola (7-1) scooped the decent pot on offer in the BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase.
Noel Meade's seven-year-old challenged Blazer for the lead two out, and Crosshue Boy went with him, but Bel Ami De Sivola soon saw him off before holding the late threat of Bon Papa by a length and a half.
Meade followed up when Nina Carberry got newcomer Pat's Pick (10-1) up on the line in the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper.< Nobody Home (16-1) caught Global Fert close home in the Gleesons Butchers Novice Handicap Hurdle, while Uisce Beatha (4-1) led home a one-two for Joseph O'Brien in the Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Maiden Hurdle.
