THE graded action over last weekend was run of the mill: Dinoblue came back to form on her favoured soft ground in the Opera Hat at Naas, Maxxum popped up with a win in the Boyne Hurdle as he does most seasons and Better Days Ahead made heavy enough work of the Ten Up Chase.

Perhaps the more interesting long-term performances came in maiden hurdles and bumpers. Lovely Hurling had caught the eye in a major way at Fairyhouse over Easter, shaping much better than his seventh-place finish after a bad mistake two out, and after winning a bumper in May, impressed with a comfortable maiden hurdle at Naas on Saturday.