Gitane Du Berlais in mid-flight over the last© Photo Healy Racing
< Gitane Du Berlais boosted her confidence with victory in the Listed BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas.
A Grade One winner at this time last year, Willie Mullins' mare had to concede weight to her three rivals, despite failing to get her head in front this season.
Ruby Walsh dictated terms to suit himself on the 6-5 favourite and was in command when main market rival Carrigmoorna Rock took a fatal fall two out, before striding seven lengths clear of I'm All You Need
Mullins put Babbling Stream in both the Supreme and Neptune at Cheltenham, and his authoritative performance in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 21st February Maiden Hurdle gave some indication why.
Walsh injected some pace into the race when sending the 5-4 favourite to the front at halfway and he wasn't hard pressed to account for The Grandson by 12 lengths.
Carrigmoorna Rock's trainer Robert Tyner gained a small slice of compensation when Fairly Legal came out of the Follow Naas Racecourse On Facebook Maiden Hurdle on top.
The 7-4 favourite was clear with Call It Magic when touching down over the second-last in a share of the lead, but was moving much more sweetly and was ridden out by Mark Walsh to triumph by four and a half lengths.
The JP McManus colours carried by Fairly Legal were back in the winner's enclosure on Jody McGarvey after he had driven Rogue Trader (11-2) out to claim the Hospitality At Naas Handicap Chase.
Tom Taaffe's charge challenged at the last and although he was slightly awkward at it, he knuckled down well on the run to the line to defeat Marvellous Moment
Alisier D'Irlande (4-6 favourite) only knows one way to race and galloped his rivals into submission in the Book Online At Naasracecourse.com Beginners Chase.< Mr Cosmopolitan (12-1) stayed on well to land the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle by two lengths from Papa's Way while A Genie In A Bottle held the late thrust of Blood Crazed Tiger by half a length to give Gigginstown House Stud a one-two in the Go Racing In Kildare (Pro/Am)
