Galway Festival:Champion jockeys Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy fought out the finish of the Signature Novice Hurdle, with the former coming out on top aboard Dual Gales.
McCoy always appeared confident on even-money favourite Glenstal Abbey, but Walsh tracked him into the straight.
The duo jumped the final flight in unison and, with both jockeys in full flight on the run-in, it was the Willie Mullins-trained Dual Gales (11-4) who came
out on top by half a length.
Mullins said: “I thought Ruby was very good there, he just locked jaw for two and a quarter mile.
“If he had got away from him at any stage the race was over. It just goes to show the strength of a man he is because that horse was so free.
“If I can find another novice hurdle we will go for that. I will have a look at Killarney and Listowel but he could quite possibly go chasing this season.
“I was worried about him getting up the hill but he had a wind operation last year and it was obviously a major success.”
Whatever Next put up a fine front-running performance to come out on top in the Perfect Pint Beginners Chase.
The 14-1 chance jumped and travelled with great zest at the head of affairs under Davy Russell, and had all of his rivals hard at work approaching the final two obstacles.
Despite growing weary on the long run to the line, John Murphy’s seven-year-old was two lengths ahead passing the post.
Favourite Corrick Bridge looked hopelessly tailed off before the turn for home, but made up an astonishing amount of ground in the straight to fill the runner-up spot.
Russell said: “The ground is very testing, and very holding, and it’s difficult to get out.
“It was the owner’s plan to ride him that way and they told me to be as aggressive as possible.
“He jumped great throughout.”
Fit The Cove (12-1) got the better of 5-2 favourite Separate Ways in a thrilling finish to the Guinness Time Handicap.
The winning jockey Danny Mullins exuded confidence before the turn for home but had to get serious when the hat-trick-seeking Separate Ways came to tackle
him at the top of the home straight.
The pair proceeded to fight it out all the way to the line — but it was the Harry Rogers-trained gelding who came out on top by half a length.
“This horse owes us nothing. I was in two minds as to whether to run him or not as he was disappointing at the Curragh the last day," Rogers said afterwards.
“He loves it around here and he always runs a good race.
“This is his third win around here and Danny gave him a great ride.”
The Dessie Hughes-trained Montero continued his rise through the ranks with an impressive display in the St James's Gate Novice Chase.
The seven-year-old was sent off the 6-4 favourite on the back of successes at Wexford and Limerick, and travelled ominously well throughout under Roger Loughran.
After taking over from long-time leader Joe Soap at the final fence, Montero stretched away to score by 10 lengths from Aoife Costa.
Hughes said: “He’s a very good horse and Joe Soap making the running really worked out well for us.
“The stiff two miles around here really suited him.
“He was entitled to beat those horses on ratings.
“He stays and jumps very well and we will stick to novice chases, rather than handicap chases, as he’s a small horse.”
Jim Bolger got off the mark for the Festival as Slieve Mish knuckled down well to land the Guinness 250th Anniversary EBF Fillies Handicap.
There were still plenty in with chances as the field straightened up for home, but it was Kevin Manning’s mount who struck the front at the one-furlong marker.
Beauthea tried hard to reel her in but the 7-1 winner found plenty for pressure to score by three-quarters of a length.