Toostrong shows all his scope at Gowran under Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
There hasn't been much in the way of quicker ground in Ireland this season and Midnight Oil showed an appreciation for it as he snapped up a great opportunity at Gowran.
Only three turned out for the Brian Cody & Aidan O'Brien Novice Hurdle and Davy Russell sat just behind the pace set by Sizing Jo'burg on the Willie Mullins-trained 4-7 favourite.
The champion jockey didn't ask for an effort until after the second-last, at which point Midnight Oil scooted clear and won as he liked by seven and a half lengths.
There was a sombre note for winning owners Gigginstown House Stud, however, as their other runner, Umpact suffered a fatal injury going to three out.
The familiar Gigginstown colours were back in the winner's spot when Mullins and Russell completed a double with Toostrong (11-2), who led two out to take the Eoin Larkin & Sports Injury Surgery Clinic Beginners Chase by four lengths.
The champion trainer made it a personal treble when Indevan (8-13 favourite) surged late to collect the second division of the bumper, the first division having fallen to James Leavy's 3-1 favourite Ebazziyr who also came with a withering late run.
Mullins' Urano was a non-runner in the JJ Delaney & Kilkenny City & County Vintners Maiden Hurdle and in his absence Bell Weir went off the 9-10 market leader and obliged in the hands of Barry Geraghty.
Eoin Doyle's bumper winner chased Harlekin before jumping into the lead two out, and ran on strongly to hold Kestrel by three and a quarter lengths.
Feature race was the Henry Shefflin & Ashgrove Stables Mooncoin Handicap Hurdle and it went to the in-form Bryan Cooper on the Tom Taaffe-trained Gold Bullet
The grey (9-2) led three out and had plenty in the locker when the challengers came at him in the straight, keeping going strongly without coming under undue pressure to win by two lengths.
