Racing: Mansony swooped late to land glory in the feature Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown today as this year's festival in Co Kildare got undeway.
The Arthur Moore-trained eight-year-old was still some four lengths down approaching the final fence as the front-running pair of Newmill and Justified battled it out.
But Davy Russell galvanised a fine run from the 13/2 shot and the pair swept past to score by one and a quarter lengths from Justified.
Moore said afterwards: "He's always been a smashing horse and I've been looking forward to putting him in this company.
"I was a bit frightened he could have been done for speed early on, but Davy gave him a great ride. He would have preferred softer ground but he's now gone and won in Grade One company and we will have to go down that route with him next year. He'll also be fine over two and a half miles."
Earlier, 13/2 joint favourite Red Setter opened the festival with a win under Andrew Kinirons. Wedger Pardy battled hard for second with Glenduff Bridge third.
The second race saw Clopf come late to justify favouritism in a dramatic vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle. The 7-4 shot looked to have plenty to do turning for home but jumped himself into contention at the last and went on to score by a length and a half from Rindoon, with Holly Tree a close third.
Rindoon set a strong pace and had the field at full stretch until Tony McCoy tried to challenge up the far side on his stablemate Holly Tree. Mick Darcy closed the door, forcing McCoy to switch, while Clopf was all the time responding to Barry Geraghty's hard driving.
Ebaziyan, a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, was a big disappointment and another fancied runner, De Valira, was a faller.
Geraghty completed a quick double in the next on Charlies First (14-1) in the Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle. Just as in the previous race, his mount only hit the front on the run-in after being some way behind the leaders.
Baily Breeze set the pace but was headed between the last two flights by On The Net, who looked all over the winner.
However, he had no answer as Charlies First came fast and late to claim the prize by half a length. Baily Breeze stuck on well for third, with Significant fourth.
Offshore Account (16-1) took advantage of a last-fence fall by Aces Four to win the Ellier Developments Hanover Quay Champion Novice Chase.
The two went to the final obstacle together but Aces Four and Graham Lee took a nasty tumble when they looked to be getting the better of the argument.
That left Offshore Account, trained by Charlie Swan, to come home 11 lengths clear in the hands Denis O'Regan. Knight Legend was second, with long-time leader One Cool Cookie third.
Today's Results
2.15pm
1 Red Setter 13/2
2 Wedger Pardy 20/1
3 Glenduff Bridge 8/1
2.50pm
1 Clopf 7/4
2 Holly Tree 20/1
3 Rindoon 25/1
3.30pm
1 Charlies First 14/1
2 On The Net 20/1
3 Baily Breeze 25/1
4 Significant 16/1
5 Streets Of Gold 10/1
4.05pm
1 Mansony 13/2
2 Justified 9/2
3 Steel Band 40/1
4.40pm
1 Offshore Account 16/1
2 Knight Legend 25/1
3 One Cool Cookie 11/2
5.15
1 Gonebeyondrecall 3/1f
2 Lifes Star 5/1
3 Mr Muji 8/1
4 Waterloo Chateau 16/1
5.50
1 Wills Wilde 12/1
2 Torrid Kentavr 16/1
3 Laureldean 20/1
4 Laoch Dubh 33/1
6.25
1 Logans Run 13/2
2 Deal Maker 5/1
3 Wicker Park 10/1
4 Liskennett 8/1