The Crafty Butcher, who was proving very costly to follow, finally got his act together for Ruby Walsh when taking the Holy Thursday Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

The beautifully bred Speckled Wood seems to have a decent future, after coasting to victory in the Holy Cross Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

Cnoc Na Sioga, 8/1 outsider of the four runners, provided the Ryan family with a memorable success when landing the featured INH Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle in Wexford yesterday.

Punters enjoyed a bonanza in Ballinrobe last night as five favourites, including two odds-on shots, obliged.

Veteran course specialist Fit The Cove proved the toast of punters on the final day of the 2012 Galway Festival as Harry Rogers’ charge landed the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap in courageous style, providing jockey Chris Hayes with the first leg of a double and proving the only successful favourite on Family Day at Ballybrit.

On a night when trainer Tony Mullins and his jockey-son Danny shared a 98/1 double, it was the Willie Mullins-trained mare Glens Melody which proved the equine star in Sligo, landing the concluding Cleveragh Flat Race in emphatic style.

Ruby Walsh completed a treble in the quickest possible fashion as he took the opening three maiden hurdles at Killarney yesterday.

Galileo’s Choice proved himself on course for the William Hill Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham when scoring a smooth success in the Easter Festival 8th-10th April Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.

GORDON ELLIOTT and Paul Carberry doubled-up with Mae’s Choice and Al Dafa in Downpatrick yesterday.