THE Big Westerner (7/4 favourite) landed Limerick’s St Stephen’s Day feature, the Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle, on the first of four days of action at Greenmount Park

One of two mares in the line-up for the Grade 2 contest, Kieran and Cathy Mariga’s winner was given most to do by the other female Mozzies Sister.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge led travelling well before two out and stayed on well from there to prevail by four and a quarter lengths. Paddy Power responded by making her the 12/1 joint-favourite (from 25/1) for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“We thought there’d be more pace, but it was a messy race. She was a bit lit up for the first few furlongs and then relaxed well, but every time she saw a hurdle, she latched on,” said rider Darragh O’Keeffe.

“I’d say she will be more competitive in a race with more competition up front, but she is a classy mare and shows plenty of gears. She has plenty of scope and is quick at her hurdles as well.

“The Marigas have been very good to me and I’m delighted they have another good mare on their hands.”

All smiles for Laafi

Highly rated ex-flat performer Laafi (18/1) made a winning jumps debut in the Signsplus Maiden Hurdle for trainer Bill Durkan and jockey Philip Byrnes.

Laafi was rated 90 when winning his third flat race for William Haggas in October and, having been sold subsequently to the Four D Partnership for 35,000gns, made virtually all to beat Kainsbourg by two and three quarter lengths.

Byrnes reported: “He handled that ground well and it was a nice performance to do that first-time-out over hurdles against horses with runs.

“He had a very good level of form on the flat in England and his last win was in Doncaster on easy ground, so we were hopeful coming here. Gary Bannon [assistant trainer] said he was in right order.”

MILLSTREAM Lady (9/1) turned around form with old rival Phils Choice to win the Mr Binman Mares Handicap Hurdle for Eric and Conor McNamara - the first leg of a double for the local yard.

The pair fought out the finish in the corresponding race a year previously and the grey daughter of Arctic Cosmos, owned by Eamon Leahy, Seamus O’Riordan and Edward Hayes, reversed those placings as she mastered Phils Choice after the last to score by one and a quarter lengths

Trainer McNamara reported: “Millstream Lady made no mistake today against the same opposition and, as she is very small, it was a great performance to carry 11st 12lb and win. She is a tough little mare, today was the plan, so it was great it worked out.

“I’m delighted for the owners who are all Patrickswell and Adare people, so this is a huge plus.”

Dream delivers

The Rathkeale trainer completed a double at his local course, when Dream In The Park (7/2 joint-favourite) took the BRC McMahon Reinforcements Handicap Chase.

Owned by Bacchus Inns Ltd, the Faltering Fullback, Manorplace Ltd and G J McGuinness, the seven-year-old was a close second when left in front by the fall of Thelonglad two out and Calum Hogan’s mount went away to score by three and a quarter lengths from Birdsandthebees.

McNamara quipped: “It was 40 years ago today that I trained my first winner with For Jon, with Michael Byrne riding him. It was at the old Greenpark racecourse, so there have been a lot of changes since, but we’re still at it and haven’t gone hungry yet!

“Dream In The Park jumps well and was handicapped better over fences than over hurdles, so we decided to have a go at this. That’s Calum’s first winner over fences and his 7lb claim is very valuable.”

THE well-supported Out For A Stroll (9/4 favourite) took the Aqua Process Solutions 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle for Joseph O’Brien and J.P. McManus.

The daughter of Churchill, fitted with first-time cheekpieces, was handy throughout and led before the last, before holding Bacchanalian by half a length.

Rider Peter Smithers said: “She had a bit of experience over hurdles, so we made use of that and jumped her out handy. I got nice jumps at the last two, which helped and kept me rolling.”

This kicked off a Christmas to remember for the O’Brien stable, bagging a trio of Grade 1s through Banbridge, Solness and Home By The Lee across the week.

Owners, the Coffey and Buckley families and the Paul Nolan team had a St Stephen’s Day to remember initiated by Release The Beast’s win under Jordan Gainford in the O’Kelly Brothers Demolition Rated Novice Chase.

In-form yard

Just minutes later, An Peann Dearg came out on top for the same connections in a blanket finish to the penultimate event at Leopardstown.

Release The Beast (7/4) had things a bit more comfortable, close up throughout before going on entering the straight to beat Enjoy The Dream by six lengths.

“He was a big baby last year. We loved him, but I’d say he just wasn’t able for what we were doing with him,” said James Nolan.

“He has been a different horse since he came back in and had a lovely run the first day back. He has learned to settle and jump, but today’s race was only a restricted novice, so we’ll see where he goes from here.”

Magic purchase

Bargain buy Shesakindofmagic (9/2) struck in the J.J. Kavanagh Buses Mares INH Flat Race under jockey Aine O’Connor.

The daughter of Mahler made most and fought off Forceonmyown in the home straight to score by two and a half lengths.

Trainer Anthony McCann reported: “We bought her out of Mags Mullins’ yard in January, as she is a half-sister to Kiki Badger, who did well for us, and she had a good run on debut at Clonmel.

“I got her for £8,000 and couldn’t believe how cheap she was, so this is brilliant, and she picks up bonuses today too for her owner Paddy McBride.”