Riven and Ruby Walsh lights up foggy Thurles

As has been its wont these past few weeks, heavy fog threatened to interrupt the racing schedule, but the situation was managed well at Thurles and, with two fifteen-minute delays introduced between the opening races, time was given for the fog to lift, and, thankfully, it condescended to do so.

From just four runners and four favourites on the seven-race programme, Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh came out on top on two occasions, the highlight of which was the debut victory of Riven Light in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.

Walsh looked confident throughout but bumper winner Hardline was upsides until falling at the last, and that left the long odds-on favourite to coast home clear of the remainder.