Pat Smullen, who will be crowned Irish champion rider for the first time next month, brought his seasonal tally to 77, courtesy of a hard-fought victory aboard the Pat Hughes-trained Venetian Pearl in the Holycross Welter Race at Thurles.

The Co Offaly-born former dual apprentice champion needed all his strength after the two furlong pole to shrug off the persistent challenge of McCracken, who was ridden by Smullen's nearest pursuer (13 behind) in the title race, John Murtagh.

Earlier, Murtagh had to settle for the runner-up berth also on newcomer Rubenco in the second division of the Glen Maiden. Carrying the colours of former Dublin footballer Tony Hanahoe, the John Oxx filly rallied close home to finish a head adrift of David Hanley's Veronica Cooper and Niall McCullagh.

Curragh trainer Michael Grassick remarked "to the paddocks" after his charge Aquinaga shrugged off Ticklepenny inside the final furlong to scoop the first division of the 12 furlong Glen Maiden under Eddie Ahern.

"She hasn't been working well this season and it's nice to get a bracket with her. She's in the December sales," said Grassick.

Dessie Hughes continued his rich vein of form when Winter Wishes initiated a brace in the EBF maiden hurdle, after which winning rider Kieran Kelly picked up a one-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Kelly (22), who also lost his 3lb claim in the process, was again on board the second leg of the Hughes brace when 2 to 5 shot Rathbawn Prince turned the EBF chase into a procession.

"He's handing soft ground better than he used to and he'll go next for the valuable Jim Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal. We have to take on the big boys at this stage and hopefully we'll pick up some of the place money," said Hughes.