Young jockey Matt O'Connor got back among the winners at last when Kimberlite King scored a commanding victory in the 20% Online Discount Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.
Seriously injured in a fall at Thurles last March, the rider returned to the saddle in October and has been waiting for that elusive first success ever since.
Colm Murphy's 4-5 favourite, who has performed well this season against better opposition, jumped nicely just off the pace and joined issue at the second-last before easing away to score by five lengths.< Silver Friend (9-2) lived up to the promise of his debut victory in a Cork bumper as he made short work of the opposition in the Easter Festival Maiden Hurdle.
In third place for most of the way, the John Joe Walsh-trained seven-year-old moved smoothly into the lead nearing the last under Eddie Power and cleared away to win by seven lengths.< Hellyhunter stayed on strongly in the testing conditions to take the Course Signage At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh was always prominent on Davy Fitzgerald's charge (15-8 favourite), who stretched clear going to the final flight and beat the staying-on Playboy Luke by 12 lengths.
Walsh doubled up after a lovely patient ride on The Corby Glenn in the Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Chase.
In rear early, the champion jockey crept into contention before taking it up jumping the second-last on the 5-1 shot and eased comfortably clear to score by 10 lengths.
Walsh looked set for a treble when Clear Gold jumped the last well ahead in the fairyhouseracecourse.ie Handicap Chase, but Davy Russell produced a barnstorming finish on 7-4 favourite Barneys Honour who surged past to win by three lengths.
The Ladbrokes Cheltenham Bumper Series INH Flat Race went to Willie Mullins' 8-11 favourite Bishopsfurze who came from the clouds under Patrick Mullins to swamp Foildubh in the last 100 yards.
