Hurricane Fly, left, jumps the last with Jezki© Photo Healy Racing
< Hurricane Fly s victory over Jezki provided yet another memorable encounter between the pair in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Ruby Walsh was happy to track Jezki throughout on Willie Mullins' 5-6 favourite, and as AP McCoy hit the front turning for home on the Champion Hurdle winner, Walsh had his move covered.
The pair jumped the last in unison and battled all the way to the line, with Hurricane Fly gaining his 21st Grade One win by half a length.
Mullins bagged a Grade One double when Don Poli battled gamely to land the Topaz Novice Chase.
Bryan Cooper was happy to get a tow into the race and appeared to edge ahead after the home turn, but Apache Stronghold took a marginal lead after the last.
Don Poli was too strong close home, though, justifying 9-4 favouritism to score by three lengths.< Carrigmoorna Rock showed a tremendous burst of speed to land the IFG/Willis EBF Mares Hurdle in fine style.
As soon as Philip Enright gave her a squeeze between the last two flights, the 7-4 favourite careered away to score by five and a half lengths from Keppols Queen < Windsor Park looks a hurdler to follow after he made light work of the Copper Face Jacks Maiden Hurdle on his first attempt over timber.
Walsh looked confident aboard Royal Caviar as he swept to the front on the home turn, but Davy Russell tracked him through on Dermot Weld's 6-4 favourite and stretched away after the last to win by two and a half lengths.
Weld secured a double when Vigil (5-6 favourite) picked up nicely for Finian Maguire to land the Ryanair Flat Race.
McCoy had to settle for second again in the Ryanair EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle as his mount Sir Abbot could not get the better of Bentelimar (10-1), who got up late to score by a length under Luke Dempsey.
