MARK Walsh was the star at Naas on Saturday afternoon when he brought Slowmotion from a seemingly hopeless position to win the Listed BBA Ireland Opera Hat Mares' Chase.

Joseph O'Brien's runner was struggling turning for home as the odds-on Listen Dear continued to force the pace. Even as the unfancied Solita came to challenge the leader over the final fence, Slowmotion looked booked for only minor honours but the 13/8 second favourite stayed on strongly to win by four lengths.

The winner carries the colours of J.P. McManus as did opening maiden hurdle winner Outspoken, also trained by Joseph O'Brien and ridden by Mark Walsh.

By Galileo, Outspoken was formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien.

CHELTENHAM FAVOURITE

The most impressive performance of the day came in the closing bumper which saw the Willie Mullins-trained Carter McKay romp to victory.

With stable companion Getabird ruled out of Cheltenham earlier in the day, Carter McKay (owned by Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani's Pearl Bloodstock) has quickly installed himself as the new favourite for that race.

Earlier in the day Gordon Elliott won a maiden hurdle with Midnight Escape, stable companion Cracking Smart really catching the eye in second.

Yaha Fizz made alll to win the novice hurdle for trainer Eamonn Delany and jockey Ryan Treacy. It was the horse's third victory of 2017 and he is improving fast.

The handicap chase went to Westerners Son, trained by Dermot McLoughlin. The 20/1 chance left two poor efforts behind with this display and the improvement was attributed to the re-fitting of blinkers.

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