Lanturn, disqualified on technical grounds after opening his account over timber at Galway last summer, provided Paul Hourigan with his first victory since breaking a leg last March when landing the Gortna Mona Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon last evening.

Sent off the warm 11 to 10 market leader, the eight-year-old gelding, who was absent for eight months after suffering a pelvic fracture at Listowel last September, stayed on gallantly after forging to the front at the half-way stage to score by 11 lengths from Monalee Dante.

"Hopefully we won't lose this one," quipped winning handler, Pat Hughes before he added on future plans: "It will be back to Galway for either a 21/2-mile novice race or maybe even a three-mile handicap hurdle. He must have good ground."

Barry Geraghty, who was named yesterday in the Irish jockeys' team bound for Australia on Sunday August 2nd, teamed up with the Jessica Harrington-trained Cinnibar to score at odds of 12 to 1 in the Elan Handicap Hurdle.

Geraghty, along with Ken Whelan, Shay Barry and Mick Murphy, will represent Ireland in the 13th year of the annual challenge against their Australian counterparts.

The series will take in meetings at Victoria Park and Morphettville in Adelaide, before heading to Melbourne for the second week for races race at Sandown, Pakenham, Moonee Valley and Melbourne Cup course Flemington.

Kevin Manning recorded an 87 to 1 double, sparked off with Kiptanui, which held off Tunisia and Niall McCullagh by the minimum margin in the Lenabane Maiden. His task was eased somewhat when warm 4 to 5 favourite Rumuz was virtually pulled up by John Murtagh moments after leaving the stalls, her rider reporting he felt his mount had broken her back.

Canadian Vista completed the Manning brace in the next after edging ahead of Magical Lady at the furlong pole to land the spoils by three parts of a length.