THE teak-tough Blazing Bailey dug deep to win the ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday giving trainer, Alan King, his first ever winner at the Festival.

Ferdy Murphy enhanced his great record at the Punchestown Festival when Kalahari King landed the AON Hurdle.

IN theory Shakervilz had it all to do in the betchronicle.com Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday, but was best for money in the ring, 5-2 to 2-1, and duly did the business.

THERE are definite signs of late that Noel Meade's horses may be about to strike form again and, consequently, his Clarnazar may be worth risking in the Book Your Festival Tickets Hurdle at Punchestown today.

SEAN FLANAGAN, yet another of the up-and-coming young jockeys in Ireland at the moment, was seen to particularly good effect when taking the Kerry Spring Water Hurdle aboard Kingsmaster at the final stage of the Listowel Festival yesterday.

Leg Spinner was a big disappointment in the Kerry Spring Water Hurdle at Listowel today, finishing well beaten behind all-the-way winner Kingsmaster.

JOHNNY MURTAGH, setting a scorching pace at the head of the jockeys' championship, can consolidate his position by landing a double at Bellewstown this evening.

WILLIE MULLINS enjoyed his first success of the Flat campaign when Financial Reward took the Ballybunion Median Auction Maiden at Listowel yesterday.