Paul Nolan's imposing eight-year-old Joncol made a winning start to his campaign in the John Meagher Memorial Chase at Thurles.

The 2010 Leopardstown Hennessy Gold Cup winner failed to get his head in front in three starts last term but made no mistake in beating old foe Cooldine in the hands of Barry Geraghty.

Cooldine looked back to form, jumping well in the main and leading until the last, but Joncol's giant stride ate up the ground on the run-in and he was 12 lengths to the good at the line.< Mount Benbulben gained compensation for an unlucky Galway experience in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.< Eyesontheprize (11-2) made a comfortable start to life over obstacles in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle, providing Geraghty with a double on the day.

Pat Fahy's Navan bumper winner relished the deep ground and readily drew 25 lengths clear of Back In A Tic after taking it up coming to two out.

Gordon Elliott's classy bumper performer, expensively purchsed in the summer, clipped heels and slipped up on his hurdling debut at Ballybrit but made no mistake at the second attempt, easing home by two and a half lengths under Paul Carberry.< St Killian's Run (5-1) completed a quickfire double for Elliott and Carberry with a smooth success in the Holycross Handicap Hurdle.

Michael Hourigan's Hans Crescent (13-2) was an eased-down winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, but the 27-length winning margin over Sorted is hugely flattering as the task was made much easier when his only danger Rakamasi crashed out at the last.

Denis Cullen's Rubert (16-1) ran them a merry dance in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase under a confident Mark Darcy, while the concluding Toboradora INH Flat Race went to Noel Meade and Nina Carberry through Corbally Ghost at 6-1.