THE Dessie Hughes-trained Quiet Word proved the equine star of last night’s action in sun-drenched Ballinrobe, the Bryan Cooper-ridden gelding scoring a smooth success over Lend A Hand Son in the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Hurdle.

THE Margaret O’Sullivan-trained Oscar Delta confirmed the positive impression he created when shedding his maiden tag at Ballindenisk in December by landing a very competitive renewal of the winners of one at the Carbery Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Kilpatrick yesterday.