THE Nutcracker registered back-to-back victories in the Breaffy House Resort Mares Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Up 17lb from last year's win and burdened with top weight, Mark Flanagan's 7lb claim helped her cause and he made his challenge approaching the last, avoiding the melee when three runners came down at the flight before.

The 9-1 shot was a willing partner and was slick over the last, allowing her to land running, and she stuck her neck out to keep Isabella Liberty half a length at bay.

Trainer Tom Gibney said: "I'm thrilled with her. Last year we really fancied her coming here but she was rated 17lb higher today and she had to prove it.

"She had a bit of luck late on as she missed the carnage but sure you need that.

"She loves the hurdles so she might just stick to them for the time being and see how we go. When it looks like we have gone as far as we can we will probably switch back to the Flat then."

Runners from the Norman Lee stable are always worth following at Balinrobe and he enhanced his course record further when Troublesombrothers took the Healy Mac's Maiden Hurdle.

The 11-4 chance followed the front-running Miss Benefitz, with the pair a long way clear of the rest, and he stayed on best of all to score by six and a half lengths in the hands of Jack Kennedy, who has now ridden out his claim.

Lee said: "That's Jack's 3lb claim gone and he is going to be the top man in a couple of years. He gave him a great ride, he waited with him and the horse won really well."

Kennedy had to settle for second when Urtheoneiwant couldn't quite get the better of Reafadda (6-1), who ran out a game winner of the Spa At Breaffy Handicap Hurdle.

RUNAWAY WIN

Tocororo proved a class apart from the opposition in the Mulberry Restaurant At Breaffy Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Since going close in a Grade Three in February, Gordon Elliott's filly finished fourth in a Grade Two and a Grade One at Fairyhouse and Punchestown respectively, so it was no surprise that she was sent off the 4-9 favourite in this less exalted company.

She travelled comfortably behind her front-running stable companion Buyer Beware and had already put matters to bed when that one crashed out at the last.

His fall hampered Boom Box, causing Mark Bolger to be unshipped too, but Tocororo was home and hosed at this point and she cruised past the post 75 lengths clear of Satnav Sally.

Elliott said: "It wasn't the strongest race in the world but it was grand to get it.

"Bryan (Cooper) is going off to get a pin in his leg removed tomorrow so at least he is going out on a winner. He will be out for three to four weeks.

"Bryan said she loved the better ground and that she was different filly on it altogether. I have planned on going jumping fences with her now, and she will get a mares' allowance and four-year-old allowance."

Hurricane Ben (6-1) has been progressing quickly in hunter chases and the switch to handicap company failed to prevent him completing a hat-trick in the Events Arena At Breaffy Handicap Chase.

Barry Geraghty cut a confident figure as he tackled favourite Rebel Cry between the final couple of fences and his mount responded impressively to score by six lengths.

Dixie Highway made it 21st-time lucky at Clonmel recently and wasted no time in registering career win number two, outbattling Urban Vic in the Leisure Club At Breaffy Handicap Hurdle as the 9-4 favourite.

Glens Harmony, a full-sister to Willie Mullins' former top mare Glens Melody, confirmed the promise of her debut third at the Punchestown Festival by going two better in bloodless fashion as the 2-5 favourite in the Weddings At Breaffy EBF Mares Flat Race.

READ THE FULL BALLINROBE REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD