The champion jockey Ruby Walsh regained his lead at the top of the riders table with a double at Tralee yesterday that brought his total for the new term to 16.

That puts him two clear of Barry Geraghty and gives him a nice cushion to cope with the imminent return of Paul Carberry.

Walsh won't ride many easier winners than Three Rivers whose only real danger Bedthem Prince crashed out at the third last in the Beginners Chase.

Walsh did, however, have to survive a mistake at the penultimate obstacle and reported: "The second last nearly decked him but apart from that he jumped well."

The double was completed by Diamond Melody in the handicap chase whose better jump at the last allowed him to hold off the fast finishing favourite Swing West.

It was a popular success for local restaurateur Bill Kirby who carried trainer Tom Cooper shoulder high in the winners' enclosure.

The £15,000 handicap hurdle went to the favourite Moving On Up and Tony McCoy who cut down the pacesetting Afrostar on the run in to score cosily.

"Today was the first plan and I'd like to win a flat handicap with him now, maybe at Listowel," said Dermot Weld. "Tony gave him a good strong ride and made his mind up for him."

Weld completed a double in the last with Hadeb but a newcomer that interested punters more was the Weld favourite, the 4 to 6 newcomer Gifts Galore, who got turned over in the maiden by another debutant, Promising Lady.

The gambled on Basin Street Blues finished fourth but Promising Lady did well to win after being involved in scrimmaging early in the straight.

"I'll give her one more run this season as she is quite delicate but I think she is okay. I was at the stalls because she's a bit excitable but if she handled them, I thought she'd win," said Declan Gillespie.

Jim Gorman intended to run Miracle Ridge in the sprint handicap but a Cork success took that one out of the 0-78 ratings.

Instead the Curragh trainer relied on My Trivet who won his third race for Gorman under a decisive ride from Kevin Manning.