Racing: Noel Meade was finally back among the winners at Punchestown when Clarnazar got the better of Fond Of A Drop in the final 100 yards to win the Book Your Festival Tickets Hurdle.
The champion trainer had been without a winner since New Year's Day but there were signs his string were returning to form at the weekend.
Under a usual confident ride from Paul Carberry, the 3-1 chance drew alongside Fond Of A Drop at the last flight before being pushed out to win by a neck.
Meade and Carberry only had to wait 35 minutes to make it a double with Jered in the Five Day Festival Novice Hurdle.
Fifth in the Royal Bond behind his stable companion Muirhead on his last start, he had no trouble winning his second race over hurdles.
Never off the bridle, the 7-2 favourite oozed class and had no trouble seeing off long-time leader Baltiman by one and three-quarter lengths.
Having experienced such a long spell in the doldrums, Meade was understandably thrilled to get back in the winner's enclosure with Cheltenham on the horizon.
"It's great to get back among the winners again — I'm absolutely delighted," said Meade. "It's not been easy this year and it has been getting me down a bit lately."
Meade was especially pleased to see Jered come home in front and is now considering Festival options for the six-year-old.
"He was really bouncing before the race and I was very happy with him," Meade continued. "He ran superb in the Royal Bond and he was entitled to win this one.
"He'll be entered for the Coral Cup. He ideally wants three miles so we will have to see what the handicapper does with him."
Carberry was in inspired form throughout the afternoon and went on to bag the next two races on Moore's Law (7-1) and 9-10 favourite Mourne Rambler.
The former secured the Book The Pavilion At Festival Hurdle, while the Tony Martin-trained latter sluiced home in division one of the Festival Hospitality Maiden Hurdle.
Mourne Rambler's easy 10-length defeat of Bleu Run secured a fantastic 273-1 four-timer for Carberry.