DAWN Shadow continued on a path towards the Cheltenham Festival by showing a willing attitude to claim top honours in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle at Thurles.

Second in listed company at Punchestown just under two weeks ago, Dot Love's five-year-old went one better in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

She pressed the front-running Lesley Dawn as they approached the final flight and a big jump helped seal a four-and-a-half-length success.

Karalee was sent off the 4/7 favourite but could only plug on at the one pace into third.

Love's assistant Ciaran Murphy said of the 6/1 winner: "We're thrilled with that and like we said to Sean (Reilly, owner), she is improving all the time and we could see she improved again from her last run.

"She is a very nice mare and two miles is as short as she wants and would definitely want further. To do that over two miles here, we're pleased with that.

"Her form in all her bumpers has all worked out really well and she is very consistent. She is out of a full-sister to Shadow Eile and is not as quick but is a different type as she is more of a chaser.

"We have one target with her at Cheltenham next March, in the mares' novice.

"We'll give her plenty of experience before that and she won't run much after Christmas. There's a Grade 3 at Leopardstown over Christmas and there's also a mares' novice here on December 17th over two miles, so either of those races would be the plan."

DIFFERENT PROPOSITION

Surrogate Lad didn't show a great deal in three runs in novice company last term but was a very different proposition on his return in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase.

Donagh Meyler produced Tony Martin's 7/1 chance to challenge Fiddlers Bow for the lead at the last and stayed on to cross the line with six and a half lengths in hand.

Meyler said: "He was a bit sick last year but was showing bits of form at home recently and is after turning the corner. He jumped well, travelled great and it was a long time since his last run and he'll come on from it."

Jett ran out a facile winner of the Killinan Beginners Chase.

With experience on his side, including a runner-up finish behind Yorkhill in a Leopardstown Grade 3 in January, Jessica Harrington's charge has an official rating of 142, but was still only second in the market behind Willie Mullins' fencing newcomer Montalbano.

That pair went on when the front-running Balbir Du Mathan blundered three out, but Jett was travelling much better and already had the race in the bag when Montalbano took a tired fall at the final obstacle.

That allowed Robbie Power to ease Jett (2/1) right down, yet he still accounted for Balbir Du Mathan by 16 lengths.

Harrington said: "He has been promising to do that but he doesn't really like that heavy ground and we'll probably bring him back to two miles.

"I'm delighted with him and the faster they were going the better he went and was jumping really well. I'd like to go to Leopardstown (over Christmas) with him as we've a chance of getting nicer ground."

DOMINATION

Real Steel continued Mullins' domination of the Cahir Maiden Hurdle.

The champion trainer has landed the two-mile contest with the likes of Petit Mouchoir, Max Dynamite and Riven Light, and looks to have another smart one on his hands judging by the way Real Steel saw off Daly Tiger by four and a half lengths as the 8/13 favourite.

Mullins said: "He jumped a bit big early on but once he got the hang of the Irish hurdles, he was slick. He was lucky enough to get a run through on the inside (at the third-last) when the leader was hanging off the rails.

"I thought two miles would be fine for him but Paul (Townend) said he'd like to step him up in trip so we'll see what presents itself. After that first bit of experience, he'll be a lot sharper over two miles the next time."

Dual point-to-point winner Highandmighty (3/1) broke through under Rules in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle, disposing of Seskin Flyer by four and a quarter lengths.

Pound A Stroke sprung a 40/1 surprise in the Templemore Handicap Hurdle, and The Church Gate (6/1) was another to register a maiden victory in the Thurles Handicap Hurdle.

READ THE FULL THURLES REPORT IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD