A dramatic conclusion to the opening Canavans Pub Belclare four-year-old maiden certainly set the tone for the day at the rearranged North Galway Hunt fixture.

The second favourite Minella Times departed when holding the advantage at the final fence, which handed the initiative to Red River, who, after jumping the aforementioned faller, looked the assured winner. However, having been hampered in the incident the debutant began to tie up late-on, getting caught in the shadow of the post by the fast-finishing First Assignment (5/1) who powered home in the closing stages.