Review naas 8th Jan

< Monksland took the step up up to Grade Two level in his stride as he completed a hat-trick with a convincing victory in the feature Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas.

Winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle, the Noel Meade-trained five-year-old was given a patient ride by Paul Carberry and travelled sweetly into contention approaching the final flight.

Favourite Dedigout was making the best of his way home, but he had no answer as Monksland swept by and the 6-1 shot ran on to beat Lyreen Legend by four and a half lengths.

In-form Andrew Lynch, who notched a treble at Thurles on Saturday, picked up another prize when Flemenstar came out best in a gripping duel for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

Sent on at halfway, the Peter Casey-trained 6-5 shot always looked to be travelling just better than favourite Lambro and forged clear to win by three and a half lengths after they were locked together coming down the straight.

The Edward O'Grady-trained Sportsmaster had no luck on his jumps debut when he was knocked out of the race by a loose horse, but there were no such alarms in the Racing Again On 21st January Maiden Hurdle.

Mark Walsh made all on the 2-5 favourite, who had a fight on his hands when Hisaabaat threw down a challenge on the run-in but was always finding enough and held on comfortably by a length.

Willie Mullins' bumper winner Hats And Heels (5-6 favourite) made a successful jumps debut in the Annual Membership At Naas Maiden Hurdle, taking over at the second-last before being driven out by Ruby Walsh to score by five lengths.

The trainer doubled up when Un Atout (2-7 favourite) ran out a facile 24-length winner of the Go Racing In Kildare INH Flat Race under Patrick Mullins.< Luke's Benefit (11-4) defied a 12lb rise for a recent Punchestown victory to take the Tipper Road Handicap Chase, leading from halfway under Denis Hogan and holding on by two lengths.