Positively ridden by Luke Dempsey, the Steve Mahon-trained AranhillChief proved a shock winner of the featured thetote.com Connacht National in Roscommon last night.

Cheltenham Festival winner Very Wood made a solid start to his career over fences with a workmanlike success at Galway yesterday.

He was beaten 54 lengths on his latest appearance, but Willie Mullins’ Ashjar is still the nap choice to land the Directors’ Rated Novice Hurdle at Tramore tonight.

Inexperienced 7lb. claimer Thomas Doran received a massive 50-day ban following his handling of Massini’s Trap, third to The Ring Is King in the opening Paddy Smyth Memorial Maiden Hurdle in Ballinrobe last night.