Step up in class no bother to Stoneville
Eric McNamara's gelding beat little when taking his maiden on this track back in November, but made this step up in class with the minimum of fuss.
"He's a nice type, who jumps super and travels almost too well at times," said Conor O'Dwyer.
The veteran jockey took the opposition out of their misery when easing the son of Flemensfirth ahead going to the third last.
Prideoftheyankees stayed on stoutly all the way up the straight, but O'Dwyer had to ask for very little from Stoneville to score unextended by three and a half lengths.
"He won't run again for six or seven weeks," said McNamara. "He will go for another winners' race, but is neither physically or mentally mature enough to head to England.
"There will be another time for that and it will be likes of Fairyhouse and Punchestown instead. He has three mile chaser written all over him."
Tom Taaffe, having a few days off, missed seeing Barry Geraghty give Tumbling Dice a tremendous ride to land the Kilcash Chase.
Geraghty literally fired him at obstacles, powering Tumbling Dice ahead four out. The game looked up early in the straight, however, as Joueur D'Estraval surged past.
But it was plenty early enough for the grey to be hitting the front and when he was awkward at the final fence, Geraghty seized his chance to drive Tumbling Dice back into the lead.
Taaffe was represented by his wife, Elaine, who quipped: "Tom had to get a break from the pressures of married life!"
Mags Mullins' Banna's won the Fethard Maiden Hurdle in good style for John Cullen, leaving a poor effort at Limerick well behind.
He was produced with impeccable timing to cut down the flattering Sharp Doctor at the final flight, to score by two lengths.
"I think she's nice, but we have been a bit unlucky with her," said Mullins. "Maybe it will turn for her after this."
News on the Mullins stable star Travino is that he has had a week off, following his second to Nicanor at Leopardstown on Sunday, and now heads straight to either Cheltenham or Aintree.
The Denis Ahern trained Tiarella may have landed the Jim Strang Peugeot and Sons Mares Maiden Hurdle at odds of 12-1, but was far from neglected in the ring.
Powerfully handled by in-form Davy Russell, the daughter of Supreme Leader flashed up to lead at the second last to beat the flattering Oscar Orange comfortably.
"I told Frosty Kelly (Russell's agent) if Davy rode the horse that she would win," said the delighted Dungourney, Co Cork-based handler.
Market leader Haydens First, second five times in-a-row previously, appeared decidedly unenthusiastic in the straight, having led downhill to the home turn.
Ciaran Moran (19), with 15 winners in points, enjoyed a first racecourse success when guiding Oradit to victory in the Lisronagh Hunters Chase.
Oradit was travelling strongly when leading two from home, but had to be pushed right out in the closing stages to beat Five Seven Live and Clear The Line.
"He was done for his wind, so there should be plenty improvement to come," said trainer, Pat Martin.
"He's definitely the best pointer I have ever had and the four mile at Cheltenham is now a possibility."
Tim Doyle's Talktothetail was first reserve in the Bumper, got into the contest and duly did the business for Derek O'Connor, cutting down Major Stampi inside the furlong pole.
"She won a point-to-point by 20 lengths at Templemore and I fancied her at Navan before Christmas, I don't know what happened," said Doyle.
"She will probably go over hurdles now and will make a lovely chaser in the autumn."
Tom Ryan, absent since December 18 with a broken collarbone, wasted no time getting into the swing of things again when driving For A Song to beat fast-finishing Lemonfield in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
