Ruby Walsh continued his blistering start to the jumping season when partnering a double on the Tony Martin-trained pair Mr Midnight and Reisk Superman to move onto the 20 winner mark for the campaign.
Martin's talent was seen to good affect as Mr Midnight overcame a seven months lay-off in the two miles handicap hurdle, patiently-ridden to lead after two out for a 3L verdict over Five Years On.
'That's his first run for us and I've only had him for three months,' said Martin of the former John Carr-trained gelding.
Seamus Ross was on hand to greet Reisk Superman after the 11/10 favourite carried his colours to success in the 2m2f winners hurdle.
Walsh needed to switch the eight-year-old gelding around horses to gain a clear passage after the last, quickening up well to beat Atelios by half a length.
'Ruby said he was always happy enough and he likes good ground, although he would not have run only for the bit of rain this morning,' explained Martin.
Martin will be double-handed at Royal Ascot with handicappers Top The Charts (Fran Berry) and Desert Gold (Jamie Spencer), while he also outlined plans for his long-time absent 2005 'Royal' winner Leg Spinner.
'He was still very weak last year and needs a cut in the ground. We will aim him at the Cesarewitch in Newmarket and then hopefully on to the Cheltenham meeting in November.'
Barry Geraghty replaced Paul Carberry (sore after a fall at Navan on Friday) aboard Gunnison in the opening maiden hurdle, and Eoin Griffin's charge came out on top after an exciting finish.
The market leaders Arctic Spectacle and John Bob were in the air together with Gunnison at the final flight, and the latter just found that bit extra on the run-in to score by 1/2L.
Freud Bacon made it two from two over hurdles when taking the two miles winners race under Willie Slattery.
The Thomond O'Mara-trained gelding led before the home straight, and settled the issue by quickening up nicely after two out before holding off Aviatore by 3/4L.
Irish Blade, off the course for over nine months, got up close home under Kevin Coleman in the 2m4f opportunity handicap hurdle to beat Wide As Thunder by 3/4L.
Noel Meade later completed a double with Whataboutya (Nina Carberry) in the 2m2f bumper, while Little Lady (Robbie Dunne) beat fellow newcomer Stelobel by 1L in the mares bumper.
Alan Magee
