Young Bishop proves popular with the locals
The seven-year-old carried the colours of Riona Moloney, wife of racecourse manager, Pierce, and well-known politician, Michal Lowry.
In truth, The Young Bishop was galloping all over his rivals from a fair way out.
Jackie Cullen led at the third last, but the winner quickly moved into his slipstream.
David Russell soon let out an inch of rein and The Young Bishop led two from home and strode away without being asked any sort of question.
"He has loads of ability", reported Russell. "He's a good horse-when he's right."
Enda Bolger enjoyed a welcome turn when Darby Wall outstayed his rivals in the Easter Maiden Hurdle.
Near the front throughout, Darby Wall surged on early in the straight and was always getting the best of the bartle in the hands of Robert Power.
"He came home lame after running at Cork in December and we gave him one run back here", reported Bolger. "The better ground is what he wants."
Homer Wells, odds-on with most layers in the morning, was a big drifter on-course to 9-4. He did find some support into 7-4, but looked anything but enthusiastic and trailed the field literally from the start.
Power completed a 98-1 double when giving Stick The Lowman a strong drive to take the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Paddy Mullins for J P McManus, the son of Roselier blundered two out, but still managed to grab the lead.
Good Thyne Jack was soon in hot pursuit, but couldn't quite get there and was still a neck adrift at the line.
Present Abbey, who gave Wexford trainer, Ann Lambert her first success at Limerick at Christmas, did the business again when landing the Urlingford Maiden Hurdle.
The daughter of Presenting and Johnney Lathey had it between them heading to the second last and it was Present Abbey who showed the greater resolution on the run in.
Mind you, it has to be noted that Johnney Lathey's rider, Barry Geraghty, lost his whip half-way up the run in.
Commented Lambert: "Hopefully, she will go for a novice hurdle at Punchestown and it will be novice chasing next season."
Howaya Pet, 9-4 to 7-4, justified the confidence when outstaying the opposition in the three mile Irish Stallion Farms' Mares Beginners Chase.
Despite a tendency to jump to her left, she did the job well, battling on to beat Adonia, who came home with a slipped saddle.
Commented winning trainer, Gerry Keane: "She is better going left-handed and will now run in a handicap somewhere. My horses have been sick, but are on the way back."
David Russell indicated that his saddle began to slip on Adonia coming away from the third last. "It didn't make any difference, I was running on empty", he reported.
Charlie Swan's Master Ofthe Chase, absent since July, stripped fit and well to take the Bumper.
Luisa Williams this was her ninth winner eased the strapping gelding to the head of affairs well over a furlong down and the late rush of favourite, Ballybeg Glen, was never a worry.
"He was weak and raw, wants good ground and will go jumping for the summer", said Swan.
David Casey gave well-backed market leader, Slyguff Rory, a strong drive to land the Littleton Handicap Hurdle. The ex-pointer was driven into the lead coming away from the third last and Casey was in no mood for defeat as he powered him to the line in front of Rapsan.
