Shaneshill© Photo Healy Racing
< Shaneshill made a pleasing beginning to life over fences in the Killinan Beginners Chase at Thurles.
Sent off at 1-4 to show the same sort of talent that took him to top honours in the NH Flat sphere, as well as making him one of the best novice hurdlers last season, he didn't disappoint.
Ruby Walsh settled him in third before moving to the front just before the second-last and although Walk To Freedom tried to make a race of it, Shaneshill was always in control and passed the post with three and three-quarter lengths in hand.< Petit Mouchoir hardly had to come out of second gear to make a successful jumping debut in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.
The 1-5 favourite was always to the fore and quickened impressively when Bryan Cooper let out an inch of rein on the run to the final flight en route to a three-length defeat of Lofgren
Trainer Willie Mullins completed a treble when Royal Caviar (evens favourite) led home a one-two for the stable in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle.
The lightly-raced seven-year-old had a hood on for his return from the sidelines and he stuck his neck out well for Walsh to collar Haymount prevailing by half a length.
Mullins and Walsh appeared likely to get another winner on the scoreboard when Daneking approached the last in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle travelling better than Mount Colah who was upsides.
But he found less than his rival on the run-in and Mount Colah obliged at odds of 9-2.< Rightville Boy looked the most likely winner of the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase approaching two out anyway, but his task was made considerably easier by the fall of Kilcrea which hampered Do Be Doin', allowing the 11-2 shot to coast home eight lengths clear.
Last week's course scorer Long House Island (2-1 favourite) defied a 6lb penalty in the Templemore Handicap Hurdle.
