Racing: Robert Tyner's Spring The Que showed a touch of class to win the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown today for 7lb claimer Philip Enright.
The eight-year-old was in third at the last flight but soon stretched clear along the draining run-in to defeat the fast-finishing Mister Hight by two and a half lengths.
Thomas Mullins' New Field was third, while Maralan took fourth place.
Spring The Que, who was having only his second run since May 2005, was always handy in the competitive two-mile contest as outsider The Last Stand took them along at a generous pace in the early exchanges.
As is typical of this race, many had chances as they turned for home. However, the 16-1 winner was travelling best of all and made eyecatching progress when asked by Enright two out.
Having swept past Woodhouse and Maralan after the last, the outcome was decided within a matter of strides at Spring The Que powered to a noteworthy success.
Mister Hight, trained by Willie Mullins, came from another parish but could not quite peg back Tyner's impressive winner, who appeared to finish with quite a bit in hand.
Hear The Echo won an eventful renewal of the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase.
The Grade Two contest was won by the high-class Nickname 12 months ago and Mouse Morris will be hoping he has another star on his hands after this ready success.
Hear The Echo looked booked for second, however, when Justpourit took up the running at the last.
Dessie Hughes' charge jumped past long-time leader Mister Top Notch, who crumpled on landing the final fence, and went seven lengths clear on the run-in.
Despite Roger Loughran's best efforts aboard the 7-1 chance, Davy Russell was able to galvanise Hear The Echo for one last lunge.
He pounced late and went on to win by one and a half lengths at odds of 9-2.
King Johns Castle, Arthur Moore's 5-2 favourite, unseated Tony McCoy at the third-last having been in a prominent position.
"He'll stay all day - he jumps for fun and gallops," Morris said.
"We've no real plans at the moment although possibly the (Dr.) P.J. Moriarty Novices' Chase (at Leopardsown on February 10) could be an option.
"He needs three miles though so any of the three-mile races will do."