MR Diablo defied top-weight to scoop the good pot up for grabs in Leopardstown's Grade B TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase.

The 16/1 chance was having his first taste of competitive action since October but fitness clearly wasn't an issue as Luke Dempsey sent him to the front with a circuit to travel. He jumped boldly, appearing to enjoy himself, and held a sizeable advantage at the last, where a big leap helped seal a length-and-three-quarter defeat of Emcon. Bearly Legal was another four lengths away in third.

Dempsey said: "We gave him a bit of a break after he ran bad at Cork in October. We knew his work was good but he had a lot of weight. We were worried about that on this ground.

"He never missed a beat and jumped brilliant, though. He travelled, if a bit too free early on, and he's done it well in the end. On his day he's a fair horse - he's been second and third a lot of times last year and it's nice to win a good handicap with him."

Winning trainer Philip Dempsey said: "I'm delighted for the owner who hasn't been well. He might go back to Punchestown for the race he was second in last year, and long term he could be a Galway Plate horse."

HANLON DOUBLE

Camlann bettered Saturday's Navan second by landing the Coral.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Dropping back from two and a half miles to two miles, and with the in-form Rachael Blackmore taking over in the saddle from Davy Russell, the 9/4 favourite travelled sweetly until hitting the front approaching the last.

Grand Partner and Joshua Lane tried to breach the gap but Camlann wasn't for catching and scored by one and three-quarter lengths from Joshua Lane, giving trainer Shark Hanlon a double following the earlier victory of Hidden Cyclone.

Blackmore said: "He wouldn't have run today if Shark didn't think he could handle it. He's a horse that takes his work, and we gave him a little trot down the road this morning and he was fresh so there was no reason why he shouldn't run. It felt like we went a good gallop, and it was a fantastic performance by the horse."

Grand veteran Hidden Cyclone showed that the fire still burns brightly with a determined victory in the Foxrock Cup Hurdle.

Having made the running, the Shark Hanlon-trained 11/4 favourite had to concede weight all round but had all of his rivals, bar Bonbon Au Miel, on the stretch turning for home. Willie Mullins' French recruit jumped to the front at the final flight, but Hidden Cyclone wouldn't be denied and was a willing partner for Danny Mullins, getting back up to score by three-quarters of a length.

Hanlon missed the victory as he was at a point-to-point meeting and in his absence, the winning rider said: "He made a mistake early on that you would forgive a novice for doing but not from him. He jumped a bit right afterwards, and I had to let him regain his confidence down the back. In fairness, he battled really well at the death.

"I was half a length down after the last but was confident he would get there. He's very tough. I was third on him in the Fighting Fifth and that form line alone should have made him an odds-on shot today. Shark has done a great job with him. He has a lot of class and is fit and well."

RECOVERY

Jody McGarvey made a remarkable recovery after Great Field was almost down at the final fence to land the spoils in the Irish Stallion Farm EBF Novice Chase.

McGarvey had one foot out of the irons when the Willie Mullins-trained front-runner had his nose on the turf after jumping the last. The jockey nearly went out the side door, but somehow managed to keep the partnership intact and was able to guide the 15-8 favourite past the post in first place.

He came home eight lengths clear of Don't Touch It, who was wearing the same colours of owner JP McManus.

McGarvey said: "My heart skipped a few beats, all right. He jumped super in the early part of the race. He was real quick, but just doesn't have a lot of scope.

"At the last he just knuckled at the back of it. I was rolling around on his back, but luckily I kept the partnership intact. He was very low over the last three at Gowran the last day and it was the same at the second-last today.

"He has a fair engine and is well able to pick himself up at the back of one after making a mistake and gallop on. I went up the straight with only one iron, but I had enough as he had put the race to bed at that stage. Thankfully it didn't cost us."

Mullins said: "It was a great performance by horse and rider. He's improved a lot from Gowran, and should keep improving. We'll have to find another target for him.

"I don't really want to go to Aintree and I don't think there is anything for him at Fairyhouse as I don't want to go over two and a half miles in the Ryanair. First of all he has to come out of this and we'll see where we go then."

Woodland Opera was third, while Identity Thief disappointed by only finishing fourth.

MAIDEN SUCCESS

Wishmoor showed his appreciation for the return to novice company by landing the TRI Equestrian Superstore & Cafe Maiden Hurdle.

Mouse Morris' charge was sixth in a handicap at Gowran Park off a mark of 118 on his previous outing, and he was sent off at 12/1 against some less exposed opponents. He hit the front on the turn and Mark Enright went for home, with Ruby Walsh stalking on Kaiser Black, although still a few lengths adrift at the last.

Whether Kaiser Black found less than expected or Wishmoor pulled out more, Walsh could never really get within striking distance and Wishmoor passed the post two and a quarter lengths to the good.

Morris said: "He'll go for a winners-of-one or a handicap. He was a bit unlucky in a handicap at Gowran the last day, and travelled a bit better today."

READ THE FULL LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD