Jimmy Finn saddled his first winner when Golden Isle came with a storming late run under Denis Hogan to land the latest leg of the Martinstown Opportunity Series.
There was drama at the start of this 2m6f handicap hurdle as 7/2 favourite Umrigar Lord refused to race, and plenty of excitement for the large crowd in the straight as Golden Isle led close home to beat Fourpointone by 1L.
The Borrisokane restricted licence holder said, 'He was off the track for two years and we brought him back in point-to-points. He'll have another run or two over hurdles and then go chasing.'
Finn was a valuable part of the Charlie Swan team for some time and his former boss was later on the mark with the odds-on Sorry Al in the beginners chase.
Ruby Walsh had the 4/5 chance prominent throughout and went on after three out for a two and a half length verdict over the staying on Rolling Home.
Walsh was completing a double having also partnered Mellow Music, runner-up at Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening, to justify strong evens favouritism in the 2m3f handicap hurdle.
The Tony Martin-trained gelding led off the home bend and eventually ran out a quite comfortable three lengths winner from Working Late.
Proud To Be Irish, trained by Seamus O'Farrell and ridden by his son James, struck the front two out in the 2m winners hurdle and was driven out to beat Ballyagran, who pecked on landing after the last, by 2L.
'We've been a long time waiting for that and he will mix it for the summer between the Flat and hurdles,' said O'Farrell senior.
James O'Farrell later doubled up in the bumper where Tusa An Fear headed Mighty Star over a furlong out to score by three lengths.
Kings Orchard, caught in the closing stages over 3m1f here last month, gained compensation when making virtually all for Alan Crowe to beat Adonia by 5 1/2L in the 2m4f handicap chase.
Bartra Rock came away from the second last in front in the 2m4f maiden hurdle, and the 9/4 favourite kept on well under Davy Russell to beat Omas Leader by a length.
Alan Magee
