< Our Duke put himself firmly back in the Gold Cup picture with a determined victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.
The wheels have come off a bit since Jessie Harrington's charge won last year's Irish National, but there was more to like about his recent Irish Gold Cup effort, although he faced a big stumbling block here in the shape of crack novice Presenting Percy
They went head to head over the last few fences but Our Duke (5-2) is more battle-hardened at this stage of their careers and got the better of the argument by a length.
Harrington and jockey Robbie Power completed a big-race double courtesy of Forge Meadow in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
The front-running 7-4 chance looked beaten when Identity Thief took the lead off her two out, but she battled back admirably and flashed past the post a length and a half to the good.< Some Neck (3-1) made a successful return from over a year off the track in the www.gowranpark.ie Beginners Chase.
Odds-on favourite Up For Review another Willie Mullins inmate back from a lengthy absence, cut out the running with Burgas but no sooner had he seen off that rival than Some Neck bore down on him and went away to score by six lengths.
Mullins' French recruit Saldier was all the rage for the Sea Moon & Shantou At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle and didn't disappoint.
The 4-9 favourite sauntered to the front early in the straight and crossed the line 10 lengths ahead of runner-up Big Ego giving jockey David Mullins a brace too.< Tongie (9-4) hadn't got his head in front for the best part of two years but ended the drought in the Book Direct At Talbotcarlow.ie Careys Cottage Cup Handicap Chase.< Laid Back Luke (12-1) denied Call The Taxie in the Live Music After Racing Handicap Hurdle, while well-backed 5-4 favourite Mary B made a successful debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ronan Lawlor Memorial Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
