HENRY de Bromhead continued in fine form, saddling a double on the card with Identity Thief’s second chase success the highlight of the brace.

The Gigginstown gelding went off a 2/5 shot in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Chase and, after getting the better of front-running stable-mate Ordinary World on the run-in, Bryan Cooper could afford to ease down close home for a cosy length success.

“Of what we could see of it he looked good. I’m delighted with Ordinary World as well - he ran a cracker. We always hoped he’d improve for fences which he has,” said the winning trainer.

“Identity Thief was good. Bryan said he was very happy with him. He said he won comfortably, they went a good gallop the whole way and he jumped well.

“I think the two-mile, one-furlong at Leopardstown at Christmas on St Stephen’s Day is the obvious race for him and probably Ordinary World as well.

“I think there is a winners’ race at Naas just after that so we’ll see what Chris (Jones) would like to do.

“But for Identity Thief I think definitely that.”

The Knockeen handler struck again later on the card when Monalee took the two-mile, six-furlong maiden hurdle.

David Mullins was soon to the fore on the 3/1 shot and he kept on well in the closing stages to record a length and three-quarter win over The Storyteller.

“I’m delighted with that. He’s a lovely horse and had a great run in a bumper here last year,” said de Bromhead. “We bought him for Barry (Maloney) after he won his point-to-point first time out last January.

“He was second in two bumpers, which is pretty good going for one of mine. We put him away then.

“The guys have always wanted a horse to go to Cheltenham and, funny enough, we could have two in this guy and Heron Heights.

“It was a super ride from David and he’s just a lovely horse, a real chaser in the making.”

There was also a double on the card for championship pacesetter Gordon Elliott and A Toi Phil also kicked it off in Grade 2 company when landing the Florida Pearl Novice Chase in good style for Gigginstown.

Ruby Walsh, initiating a brace himself, produced his mount to lead after two out and pull clear for a seven-length success in the two-mile six-furlong event.

Like the other Grade 2 it was a one-two for the winning yard with Jetstream Jack chasing him home.

“We had a one-two so we’re happy. The horses ran well. You’ve seen as much as I’ve seen,” said Elliott. “When he got the gap going to the second last he quickened through it and was gone.

“Ruby said he travelled and jumped well. The Drinmore will be the plan now, all being well.

“Ruby said that’s as soft as he’d want it.

germany gelding

Expensive purchase Samcro looked money well spent when running away with the bumper in good style.

The Germany gelding was the third winner on the day for Gigginstown when he streaked clear in the closing stages for a nine and a half-length success under Jamie Codd at odds of 4/9.

“He’s a good horse. He won’t have much of it this year, maybe another bumper,” said Elliott. “He should be some horse down the road, please God.”

First To Boogie was a popular winner of the two-mile six-furlong handicap hurdle on the card, bringing some much needed light relief for the Tylicki family.

It was a first training success for Madeleine Tylicki, sister of flat jockey Freddy who was paralysed in a fall last month.

Davy Russell emerged in front on the well-backed 6/4 favourite in the closing stages to record a two and a quarter-length success for owner Andrew Kinirons.

“That’s a special one. It will put a smile on the family’s face again so I’m absolutely delighted,” said Tylicki. “He’s a lovely horse. We’ll take him home, freshen him up again and make a plan then.

“All going well he’ll have a bright future.

“Today was the plan and it worked out. It was great for Freddy, who rang me straight after and was delighted.”

The run of the opening two-mile handicap hurdle will remain a mystery for most with very little of the action picked up by cameras.

Dalmatia apparently made all under Mark Enright for owner Mary Sharkey.

“She was very good. I got a soft enough lead and tipped away. I was a bit slow at a couple of the hurdles down the back but she was just idling a little bit,” revealed the winning rider.

“From the back of the second last I sent her on as I knew she’d stay. When Davy got to me she got in a battle, put her head down and she tried.

“She’s a hardy bit of gear. I’d say the further she goes the better.

“It’s great for me to get a winner for Eddie (Harty).

“Adrian Heskin has gone to England now so I’ve been riding out a morning a week for Eddie.”

Acting Stewards

Mrs J.O. Onions, Judge T. Hunt, J. Murphy, Ms M. O’Connor, P.D. Matthews.

Horse to Follow

SAMCRO (G. Elliott) He looks a force to be reckoned with and should be picking up a winners’ bumper before long.