The potential star attraction from last weekend - Samcro - remained backstage but there was still some terrific action over Punchestown and Cheltenham with many new names and a few old ones to excite the spirit.

In hindsight, it was to some degree sentimental money in the Morgiana Hurdle that saw Faugheen go off at 2/5 to a race fit, good ground loving, Galway Hurdle winner in Sharjah who had run just a bit disappointingly behind Bedrock and Samcro in Down Royal.