Slaney Native's love affair with Thurles was evident once again yesterday when Jessica Harrington's gelding landed the Esat Digifone Kinloch Brae Chase.

Successful in a bumper in 1998 and over hurdles last year, the gelded son of Be My Native was completing a hat-trick of wins at the course.

"He's unbeaten here and seems to like Thurles," said Jessica Harrington, who also captured this race with Ferbet Junior two years ago. She added: "He was a bit slow to start with but got warmed up after a few fences. He's had two quick runs now so I'll give him a little break."

The race lost two of the principal contenders at the fourth last when 3 to 1 favourite Micko's Dream crashed, bringing down To Your Honour. Earlier, Slaney Native's jockey, Paul Moloney, successfully employed front-running tactics aboard Hat Or Halo to win the Esat Digifone Hurdle. The penultimate flight of the novice hurdle played a significant role in the outcome of the contest, when Murolook came to grief when about to throw down a challenge to the eventual winner, Woodenbridge Native. Trevino, who was pushed along at the time, unseated his rider David Cullinane, leaving champion Barry Geraghty to come home unchallenged on the 7 to 4 favourite.