Voliere improves plenty to get off the mark
She was soon in front for Johnny Murtagh and was always in charge up the straight, despite a tendency to drift towards the stands side.
Commented Lyons: “We always thought she wanted to go further, but Johnny says she has loads of class and will have no trouble dropping back to a mile.
“She is very professional and it is onwards and upwards now.”
Murtagh completed a 51-1 double when Tom Hogan's Faithlegg Girl left a moderate effort at Killarney previously well behind in the Knockmealdown Handicap.
She was brought with a steady challenge to lead inside the final furlong to comfortably beat Misty Island.
The brace brings Murtagh's tally for the campaign to 16 and he now leads the championship, one in front of Kevin Manning and Declan McDonogh.
Earlier on Manning gave Con Collins' Lilly Lavender an enterprising drive to take the Cahir Handicap.
He kicked her into a decisive lead with two furlongs to run and the late rush of Borstal Boy was never a worry.
Charlie Swan's Kit Carson made a spectacular start over fences in the Slievenamon Beginners Chase and was heavily backed to do so.
Taken from 5-2 to 2-1 favourite, the six-year-old never gave supporters any cause for concern.
He jumped brilliantly for Ruby Walsh, led at the second last and quickly scampered eight lengths to the good.
John Kiely's Swiss Hall found the company in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle very much to her liking, winning well for Davy Russell.
Pushed ahead approaching two out, she found plenty to easily beat Tubber Gael Holly.
Said Kiely: “She lost her confidence a bit at Punchestown, Please God she might win again.”
Russell wasted no time landing a double when giving Clover Pearl a dashing ride in the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.
He drove her ahead shortly after the second last to credit trainer, Michael Cullen, with a welcome turn.
Said Cullen: “She was entitled to win, having the best form in the race. She will go for something similar, hopefully on better ground.”
The Willie Mullins trained Cobham was best for money in the Bumper, 5-2 from 3-1, and he toyed with his rivals.
Partnered with confidence by Katie Walsh, the son of Rakaposhi King eased to the front two furlongs out and soon slipped ten lengths clear.
Cobham is owned by the five-member New Court Syndicate, who are all from the Skibbereen, Co Cork, area.
Remarked Mullins: “He's fulfilled his potential and I think there's enough improvement to head for a winners' bumper, before going hurdling.”
