HOME By The Lee sprang a 28/1 shock in the Grade 2 Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle for Joseph O’Brien and J.J. Slevin after being off the bridle in the early part of this two-mile, four-furlong contest.

This race featured a clash between reigning Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter and dual Grade-1 hurdle-winner Bob Olinger who was reverting back to flights after a season novice chasing.

Flooring Porter set out to make all, but was headed before three out and soon dropped out of contention. Ashdale Bob picked it up, but was headed by strong-travelling Bob Olinger after three out.

Home By The Lee was stoked up to come with his challenge two out and finished best of all to win by two lengths.

Owner Sean O’Driscoll said: “Absolutely delighted. Coming to Co Meath in particular, I’ll always remember 1967 when they took Cork out (in All-Ireland Football Final)! So, bringing the trophy back from Meath is great! This was a serious race and serious horses, no hiding place.”

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell added: “That is his strong point, staying. He’s a three-miler really. The one thing he does is hit this flat spot, but JJ knows him well and you’d have to say it was nearly ride of the season so far.”

Slick jumping

Hercule Du Seuil put in a slick round of jumping to take the Grade 3 Gibney’s For Auction Novice Hurdle.

The 11/10 favourite missed the last flight which opened the door for Imagine, however, the leader toughed it out by three-quarters of a length for J.P. McManus.

Willie Mullins said: He jumped the third last and second last brilliantly, and missed the last, and I thought it was over as Imagine was coming and staying on.

“I would say Gordon’s (Elliott) horses are probably a little fitter than mine at the moment. I was delighted the way our fellow stuck his head out and battled away to the line. I think he will improve from that.”

Stout performance from Guinness

HENRY de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore put the seal on a double on the card when Captain Guinness kept up the gallop to win the Grade 2 Muldoon & Gormley Fortria Chase for owner Declan Landy.

The 4/1 shot outgunned 10/11 favourite Riviere D’Etel by a length and a half after an indifferent round of jumping by the runner-up.

“He had done a lot of work for this, we had targeted it during the summer and it seemed the right race for him,” de Bromhead said.

“We’ve yet to win a Grade 1 with him, it is something we would like to achieve. I think we will maybe enter him in the Tingle Creek (at Sandown), he seems to really enjoy it around there (third last year).”

To initiate the double in the opening maiden hurdle, Blackmore and Spirit Of Legend wore down clear leader Kilbree Warrior in the Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle.

Well-backed

The well-backed 15/2 chance collared the tiring front-runner in the closing stages and went on by a length and a quarter.

“He’s a lovely horse, he ran very well in a bumper last year. Kevin and Anna Ross sourced him for Chris (Jones, owner) and they really liked him at one of the point-to-points last year,” de Bromhead said.

Dollys Destination held on by a neck from Gold Speed at the end of two miles in the Hotel Park St. Johann Tirol Handicap Hurdle.

She obliged at 22/1 for owner/trainer Gary McGill and his son, jockey Oran McGill.

The jockey said: “She was very good, she likes to come off the pace and, once she starts picking off horses, she keeps at it for you.

“She was probably as good as ever today. She came off a bit of a break with a bit of a leg injury - she’s still improving yet, I’d say.”

Maxxum and Games impresses for Elliott

GORDON Elliott was another trainer to saddle a double. His Maxxum proved to be in a different league to the opposition in the Tynan’s Bridge House Handicap Hurdle over two miles and six furlongs.

He went off 4/5 favourite in this 22-runner race and his backers had very few moments of worry.

The five-year-old gelding cruised into the lead for Davy Russell before the last and eased away by nine lengths on the run-in for owner Patrick Rabbitt.

Elliott said: “We thought he would win the first day (second in Punchestown), he was just a bit unlucky in running. I’d say he is alright and there is a good one (race) in him.”

Elliott’s Hollow Games impressed on chasing debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase over two miles and one furlong.

The 7/4 favourite stretched away from his rivals between the final two fences and strode in by four lengths under Jack Kennedy for Bective Stud.

The trainer said: “He has a great attitude and he always looked like he was going to be a chaser last year. He wants probably a bit further to be honest.

“I love the way from the third last to the line he put his head down and galloped. He jumped well and I’m very happy with him.”

Bumper surprise

Summer Melody (5/1) overwhelmed the 4/5 favourite Found A Fifty in the final furlong of the Kevin Bell Trust (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race. Ray Barron’s mount drew three and a quarter lengths clear at the winning post.

Trainer Charles Byrnes said: “He works very well at home, so I think he will make a proper three-mile hurdler or chaser in time. He’s a massive horse and he’ll probably go jumping hurdles soon. Since Blazing Khal came along, I thought this was my next best horse.”

Summer Melody races in the colours of Patricia McCarthy, a sister of Byrnes.