Carberry guides Healy's home

Philip Carberry was out of luck in the National on board Jaquouille but he had fortune very definitely on his side when winning the Leinster Petroleum Handicap Hurdle with Healy's Pub.

The Oliver McKiernan-trained horse was scheduled to be ridden by the 7lb claimer Cian Hughes who discovered only on Sunday night that he would be forced to carry approximately 10lb overweight.

Not surprisingly McKiernan wanted a change in the saddle and the stewards allowed the Carberry substitution. They also fined Hughes €50.

In the race Carberry secured a run up the inner that was enough to trump the favourite Tasman and secure a three parts of a length victory. There was one sting in the tail for Carberry, however, as he picked up a one-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Carberry's brother Paul secured a double when Afistfullofdollars won the opener and No Half Session provided some compensation for the Noel Meade team in the two and a half mile handicap chase.

No Half Sessions' older brother Native Sessions took a fatal fall in the National but he himself was a convincing nine length winner from Lotomore Lad.

Meade described Carberry's ride on Afistfullofdollars as "special" after the seven-year-old overhauled Bright Gas by a length.

"Considering the pace and where he sat, I think you've seen something special there," said Meade. "I had half a mind to run him in the three mile novice at Cheltenham and he does need three miles. He will be a lovely chaser next season."

A dramatic finish to the second conditions hurdle saw Tiger Cry emerge best despite a Tony McCoy inspired rally by the pace-forcing Man About Town.

The pair flashed past the post but it was Tiger Cry that got the edge to provide his 81-year-old owner Chris Jones with a winner at his local track.

The National winner Ruby Walsh also struck in the hurdle preceding the big race when Major Vernon just short headed the favourite In Compliance.

Strike Back earned a crack at Punchestown's Swordlestown Cup when landing the novice chase from Livingstonebramble with the favourite Ned Kelly only third.

The well-touted Vedelle lived up to his reputation with an impressive success in the concluding bumper.