Paul Carberry, fresh from a double at Roscommon on Monday evening, was again the rider to follow at Kilbeggan when completing a 58 to 1 brace with Laras Grey and Luna Fleur.
The Meathman was seen at his confident best aboard Laras Grey in the Loughnagore Maiden Hurdle, leading two out for a cheeky three length verdict over Willyelkra.
The five-year-old grey is owned by the Doheny Syndicate, which comprises two publicans and a bookmaker from Dunmanway in west Cork and trainer Ger Cully, who afterwards gave the credit to his head girl Rose Ring. Carberry made all on the Noel Meade-trained top-weight Luna Fleur in the Grand Hotel/Auld Shebeen Moate Handicap Hurdle, quickening away from Danaa Minni approaching the last to score by two lengths.
The evening proved something of a disaster for Shane McGovern, who held a clear advantage on The Tollah in the opening Mullingar Maiden Hurdle only for the left stirrup leather to open about 50 yards from the line and the claimer fell off. The Ruby Walsh-ridden Seamus An Fear benefited from this freak accident to beat Johnny Griffin by a neck.
McGovern's night of woe was compounded when he received a kick in the head after Noel Dancer was brought down at the first in the Cleaboy Stud Opportunity Handicap Chase. Sean Treacy and amateur rider Aidan Fitzgerald were also in double form, teaming up with Ladyswell Cross in the mares maiden hurdle and runaway winner My Hand in the bumper.
