Eventual winner Cootamundra (far-side) jumps the last with Mad Brian (centre) and Colbert Station at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
< Cootamundra has displayed plenty of talent throughout his career without ever winning a big prize but he put that right in the Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan.
Sent off a 25-1 chance as he sought to break his duck over fences, the John Berry-trained 10-year-old travelled sweetly down the straight and was produced to challenge Colbert Station and Mad Brian at the final fence.
Robbie Moran found a willing ally as he turned up the pressure on the run-in and Cootamundra forged clear to beat Mad Brian by half a length.
Paul Carberry has slotted straight back into the winning groove on his return from injury and the jockey had an armchair ride as the Noel Meade-trained Apache Stronghold demolished the opposition in the Grade Two 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle.
A narrow winner on his jumps debut at Punchestown, the 9-2 chance joined favourite Azorian two out and though he wasn't fluent at the last, he was going so much the best that he cleared away to win by three lengths.
Willie Mullins' highly regarded Ballycasey (4-6 favourite) made a successful fencing bow in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, picking up the leaders going to the last under a patient Ruby Walsh and looking as if a step up in trip would suit as he forged eight lengths clear.
Mullins looks to have another budding star judging by the way dual bumper winner Moyle Park (4-5 favourite) eased away from highly regarded opposition under Walsh to win the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle by six lengths on his jumps debut.
The in-form yard completed a treble when Shesafoxylady (3-1) collared Palm Sur close home under Patrick Mullins to take the Listed ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares INH Flat Race by three-quarters of a length.
Robbie Colgan was always prominent on Vics Canvas and Dermot McLoughlin's 12-1 shot went clear going to the last to win the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle by five and a half lengths.
