Noel Meade's faith in Chip Tea was finally vindicated after he emerged a facile scorer of the Moate C & G Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
The five-year-old gelding had been slightly frustrating in four bumpers, but all was forgiven after the 9-4 shot gained the lead from Huckle Buck Shoe two flights from home.
Paul Carberry's mount (9-4) was then not extended in securing an accomplished four-length success on his hurdling debut.
"We've always thought the world of him, but he's been a very unlucky horse," insisted Meade.
"In his first two bumpers he ran away & ndash; I thought he was my best bet of the week at Galway.
"The soft ground probably didn't suit him there either."
Carberry's evening soon deteriorated, however, as the unlucky jockey was stood down for 48 hours following a nasty fall aboard Asigh Pearl in the LARCC Cancer Care Mares Maiden Hurdle. Carberry suffered bruising to his lower back and also needed stitches over an eye.
The race went to Bold Bibi (3-1), who got off the mark under National Rules with a stout display.
Niall "Slippers" Madden went for the jugular at the third-last, and never saw another rival en route to a two-length triumph over Ever Dreaming
"She deserved that on her Flat form & ndash; she was good on the Flat," said Carlow-based trainer William Murphy.
"I train mainly point-to-pointers, but have a few for the track and have had three winners this season."
Willie Mullins' Themoonandsixpence easily justified skinny odds in the FBD Insurance Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh's mount, also successful at Killarney last month, took up the running five from home in the three-mile test and casually fended off the challenge of Green Mile to prevail by a length and a half.< Duers trained by Paul Magnier and ridden by Barry Geraghty, was too hot to handle in the Hackett's Bookmakers Handicap Chase.
The race was marred, however, by a bad injury sustained to Madden.
The rider, who had stepped in for the injured Carberry on Carlesimo was sent to hospital with a suspected fractured arm after taking a
