Adrian Maguire, whose career has been blighted by injury in recent years, enjoyed a welcome change of luck when partnering the odds-on Mumaris to an easy win in the opening Potato Protection Novice Hurdle at Bellewstown.

Pat Hughes's charge jumped sketchily early on but warmed to his task, and led three out for a cosy four 4 1/2 length victory from Load And Lock. "He is still very novicey, and could return to the flat for Galway," said Hughes.

Eloquent Way foiled a gamble on Adirpour in the Old Mill Handicap (Division Two) to win by two lengths. Adirpour was backed at all rates from 20 to 1 in the morning down to a starting price of 13 to 8 favourite but could not match the eventual winner in the straight. Adirpour's trainer Tony Martin was fined £250 for failing to report that his charge's blood was not right on his last run.

David McCabe recorded his third win since returning from Britain last month when Luminoso held the challenge of I Have To Go by a head in the Billy McShane Memorial Handicap. However, the Navan rider was hit with a two-day suspension for using his whip improperly in the forehand position.

Southern Man provided Frances Crowley with her 10th winner under both codes since taking out a training licence last month when turning the Tayto Growers Handicap Hurdle into a procession, cruising clear on the top of the run-in to beat Making The Point by 3 1/2 lengths.