Racing:Paul Townend gave Macville a fine ride to prevail in the Greenmount Park Novice Hurdle at Limerick.
Sent off the 4-1 joint-favourite on the back of a recent win at Tipperary, she looked to have plenty to do when Drumfire kicked for home under Barry Geraghty in the straight.
However, Eoin Griffin’s expensive recruit off the Flat was scratchy at the final two flights, giving Townend the opportunity to drive Patrick Neville’s six-year-old up the rail for a two-and-a-half length win.
“Macville is improving all the time and we had thought about going chasing until we saw this Listed race,” said Neville. “We were hoping for some black type and its great to win with her. We’ve no plans from here but will keep tipping away with her for the time being.”
Cornas (11-8) landed the PricewaterhouseCoopers Chaseto make amends for falling five out when going well in the Grade Three heat 12 months ago.
Last year’s winner Let Yourself Go took the five runners along but was soon a spent force when joined by Cruising Katie at the third fence from home.
Daryl Jacob tracked the front two before asking the Nick Williams-trained eight-year-old to take the lead at the second-last fence.
Although never in any real of danger of being caught, Cornas had to be ridden to out to secure success in his first race since the Punchestown Festival by three lengths from Cruising Katie.
“We got to the front a little too soon today but the race was largely run to suit him as there was a good pace in the race," Jacob said. “He is a very good horse in his own right but was just 5lb or 6lb short of the top league last season. Hopefully he can make the step up this year.”
Golden Kite (20-1) put up a brave performance to make all the running in the Ladbrokes.com Munster National Handicap Chase.
Adrian Maguire’s charge was pressed hard in the closing stages by Fisher Bridge but kept pulling out more for 3lb claimer Shane Hassett to get the verdict by a short head.
Tinakellylad was six lengths away in third with Duers fourth while 9-4 favourite Dancing Tornado was never able to get in a blow for Tony McCoy after making several errors.
“It’s fantastic to win here today. I was very confident going to Listowel but a few things went wrong there,” said Maguire. “To be fair when things did go wrong Brian (O’Connell) looked after him and he brought him home in one piece and left me with a horse to look forward to today.
“Shane gave him a fantastic ride. He had ridden three winners on him previously and they just gelled and things happened.
“He’s very tough and when I saw him doing it easy and jumping well second time up the back I knew he was going to find and come home well.
“His heart is the biggest thing about him. He’s not over-big. One thing he does is try and he never disappoints.”