A CARD that contained some lively betting affairs got off to the best possible start for punters as the Emmet Mullins-owned and trained Big Jim Dwyer, for whom the market spoke volumes, bagged the claiming hurdle on his debut for the Grand National-winning trainer.

This race represented the winner’s first start for 14 months and came just over a year after he was picked up for £9,000 at the Goffs UK Spring Sale.

The 96-rated 12-race maiden was backed from 5/1 earlier in the day into 8/11 and was going easily when he cruised to the front off the last bend.

Once asked to raise his effort by Donagh Meyler from the second last, Big Jim Dwyer did so and dealt with the challenge of his chief market rival and top rated runner Eclair De Beaufeu.

Finished lame

The favourite finished with two and a half lengths to spare but he did return lame having suffered a cut to a near fore tendon. Edward O’Grady claimed the runner-up for €15,000 while Noel Kelly picked up the third-placed Vocarium for €4,000.

The Emmet Mullins-trained Shiroccoville was returned at 4/6 for the Tote-sponsored 80-102 rated handicap hurdle over two and three-quarter-miles but she pulled up as though something were amiss early on the final circuit as Rebellious Gale carried the day.

The victorious Tony Martin inmate , who carries the colours of Tomas McCabe, had shown glimmers of promise on his first six outings and put it all together under Peter Carberry.

The 11/2 chance had everything covered from early in the straight and appeared to have plenty to spare in beating Dalileo by just under three lengths. He will surely be adding to his haul this summer.

ODDS-on punters were dealt quite a blow in the Tote Guarantee Mares Maiden Hurdle as Shesadream (10/1) and a masterful Jack Kennedy got the better of the 2/9 favourite Walk On The Moone.

Gordon Elliott’s charge, who is owned by Pioneer Racing, generally struggled in three bumper runs last season but turned out in great shape on her first outing since August and a canny Kennedy closed off a potential gap for the market leader nearing two out as Shesadream went to the front.

A good jump there by the winner enabled her to open up a useful lead and this stood her in good stead as she was able to withstand Walk On The Moone’s late rally by three-parts of a length.

“She had a good look around when she hit the front so I’d say there will be improvement in her. She did it well and she’s a nice filly,” commented the winning rider.

After the reversal of Walk On The Moone, Willie Mullins did strike back in the bumper where High City Roller (7/4) bounced back from an abject debut at Clonmel two months previously when he was tailed off in a race for which he started favourite.

The Peaky Blinders Syndicate-owned and Patrick Mullins-ridden five-year-old was at his strongest over the last quarter of a mile as he came through to defeat Realistic Optimism by three lengths.

A switch to better ground made all the difference to the victorious son of Arcadio who may now go hurdling.

PETER Fahey, who has won the last two runnings of the Red Mills-sponsored auction hurdle final at the Punchestown Festival, landed the first leg of this season’s series with Rocco Bay.

From some way out the Mark Walsh-ridden winner and the favourite Itwasfate duelled for the lead and just when a few patiently-ridden rivals threatened to close up before two out Rocco Bay asserted in taking fashion.

The 9/4 chance went on to win by four lengths to add this race to her recent bumper success at Bangor and Fahey later outlined that this triumph represented quite a windfall for the mare who carries the colours of Gary Mullins.

“When she came back in this season, this was her plan because she was qualified for all the bonuses. She picks up 27 grand for winning today through prize money, the €10,000 IRE Incentive sales voucher and the €5,000 Weatherbys ITBA NH Fillies’ Bonus,” declared Fahey.

“She’s a half-sister to Tully East and nearly everything out of the dam has won so I was keen to try win a bumper and hoped we’d get her back here for this, and it worked out great. She’ll stay going for the summer.”

Excellent run

Paul Flynn continues to enjoy an excellent run on all fronts and the trainer sent out his second winner of the week when The Big Chap and Barry Browne took the first divide of the Tote-sponsored 80-95 rated handicap hurdle.

Bred by Flynn’s training colleague Peter Maher, the five-year-old had offered cause for encouragement in each of his first four outings and was returned a well backed 100/30 favourite for his handicap debut.

After travelling strongly on the pace The Big Chap found plenty in the straight to deal with Good Bye Milan who was looking to follow up a win at Wexford the previous evening. At the line Paul Flynn’s charge had a length to spare and he should be winning again in the coming weeks.

Improve

“He’s a grand horse. He’s been very nervy and we were dropping him in trying to teach him something and he never ran a bad race. He’ll do nothing but improve from here and there’s more to come but I do feel chasing will be his game,” declared Flynn.

The other divide of that handicap hurdle witnessed an ultra-game effort from the Sean Aherne-owned and trained Shean Glory (10/1-15/2).

This daughter of Fame And Glory lined up as an 18 race maiden but had posted a number of solid efforts this year and she produced a nice effort under Philip Enright after making much of the running.

Mezyan closed up menacingly in the straight but got the second last all wrong and Shean Glory seized upon this opportunity to move on again and prevail by three and a quarter lengths.