Maccas Lad & Ryan Treacy jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
The Oliver Brady-trained Macca's Lad (14-1) won Kilbeggan's F.B.D. Insurance Hurdle, but the race was not without its drama.
Long-time leader Gates Of Rome slipped up soon after taking the fifth flight from the finish, bringing down market rival Sweet My Lord and The Bishop Looney as well as hampering Ninetieth Minute
To his credit, Ninetieth Minute responded and battled bravely to fill the runner-up spot, but he was seven lengths in arrears as Ryan Treacy and Maccas Lad passed the post.
Dessie Hughes and Mark Enright completed a quickfire double, following up Datokepe s surprise 33-1 success in the Westmeath Beginners Chase with Wise Oscar (7-2) in the Belvedere House, Gardens And Park Handicap Chase.
Wise Oscar was a fine third at Punchestown last month and went a couple of places better with a two and a quarter-length defeat of Pigeon Creek
The Tullamore Rugby Club Celebration Day Handicap Hurdle saw Save My Blushes (13-2) narrowly deny Rawnaq
The latter looked to be laying down a winning challenge coming to the last but an awkward jump from him allowed Denis Hogan to sneak up the inside rail and score by a neck.
The seemingly constant stream of winners coming from Willie Mullins' stable shows no sign of stopping as Sizing Sahara (9-4 favourite) easily landed the Tullamore Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Andrew Lynch for Ann and Alan Potts, the strong-travelling grey still showed signs of inexperience but had six lengths in hand over Lipinski at the line.< Cherish The Pear defied a 424-day layoff to land the opening Kinnegad Maiden Hurdle at 25-1.
The Old Vic mare showed some potential in a couple of bumper outings early last year and delivered on that promise in no uncertain terms.
Paul Townend sent her to the front jumping three-out and she galloped on strongly to beat Dancing Roe by three and three-quarter lengths.
