WHEN she won a bumper at Ballinrobe 11 months ago, Rescue Package looked an above average type and her trainer Tony Mullins remains in no doubt as to her potential following her comeback success in the two-mile mares’ conditions hurdle.

On her first outing since March, the Olive Walsh-owned five-year-old was pitted against a number of last-time-out winners and several others who have shown up well in defeat lately. Indeed, the 15/2 chance had plenty to do from fourth as Jamie Sommers eased into the lead before the straight, but when Danny Mullins called upon the daughter of Montmartre to raise her effort, she did so in fine style.

Rescue Package came from an unpromising position before the last flight to strike the front late on and prevail by three-parts of a length.

“She needed that run and I don’t want to bring her back too quick so Galway may come a bit soon,” said Tony Mullins whose charge chased home the smart Dolcita in a Tramore maiden hurdle in December.

“I am thinking of aiming her at the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. I think she is a good mare and she’s a cut above what I’ve had in the last few years.”

Friday was one to remember for the Sexton family and after his younger brother Ryan rode the first winner of his career at Limerick earlier in the day, Kevin S made his mark aboard Turbo (16/1) in the two-and-three-quarter-mile beginners’ chase.

Not too many landed a blow in this race which was restricted to horses rated 109 or less over hurdles, and Turbo moved to the front with over a circuit to run before eventually coming home 15 lengths clear of Scully’s Dream.

The seven-year-old is trained by Jimmy Finn for his wife Amanda, Richard Paterson and Matthew Fleming.

“He was the highest-rated horse in the race so he was probably entitled to do that and he’ll probably go to Galway where he will have a few options,” said Finn who drew a blank with his jumping team in the 2019/20 season. “For some reason the horses weren’t firing last season but hopefully that’s the start of a few more winners.”

A NUMBER of people enjoyed doubles over the course of the evening and one of those was trainer Matthew Smith whose Bective Cave continues to progress in the twilight of his career.

On his first outing since October, this 12-year-old was making it three wins from his last four outings in the second division of the two-mile handicap hurdle where he was recording a poignant success.

Bective Cave (12/1), who is owned by Mrs Pat Keating, pressed on for home well before the last and defeated Thousand Tears by four and a half lengths.

“I’m delighted for Pat (Keating) as he was very close to Tommy McGivern who passed away this week. Tommy would have done a lot of work with this horse going back years ago, so it’s lovely that he’s won,” commented Smith.

“This horse keeps surprising me. Last year was the best he’s ever been but I did think that he might struggle off his mark today.”

Smith brought up his double when Eimear (6/4) recorded the first success of her career in the 0-102 rated handicap chase over an extended three miles.

This mare was providing Bryan Cooper with a chance winner after he stepped in to replace Keith Donoghue who was stood down after a fall in the opening maiden hurdle.

Fresh from a second to the improving Lord Lariat at Tipperary at the start of the month, Eimear relished every yard of the trip to finish nine and a half lengths clear of the field.

This was certainly a well-deserved success for the Gerry Smyth-owned mare whose first 15 runs had yielded five second-place efforts.

Meanwhile, Paul Townend also ended the evening with two winners to his name as his victory on Bective Cave was preceded by that of Edward O’Grady’s Rasiym (3/1) in the first divide of the two-mile handicap hurdle.

The five-year-old, who came here off two placed runs in flat maidens, looked a cut above this 80-116 rated bracket as he defeated Moonball by three and three quarter lengths. This Brian Comer-owned gelding could yet win a decent handicap over hurdles.

Flanagan’s brace

SEAN Flanagan was another man to notch up a double which began when Liz Doyle’s Scalor struck at 25/1 in the two-mile maiden hurdle.

This FBD Partnership-owned five-year-old had shown up well in several of his bumper runs and more than confirmed that initial promise on his return from 10 months off.

Scalor came to the last flight locked in combat with the 50/1 shot Grange Walk but crucially had the favoured inside position and, with the rail to guide him home, he prevailed by half a length. Galway could figure on the winner’s agenda.

Flanagan then teamed up with the Ronan McNally-owned and trained The Trigger (3/1) who took the extended three-mile handicap hurdle to follow-up a recent success over fences at Tipperary.

The Trigger got the better of fellow 11-year-old Ocean Glandore on the run-in to prevail by a length and a quarter, while the favourite, Golden Nomad, faded to fourth after travelling ominously well for much of the race.