Racing: Salford City, fifth in the Epsom Derby back in 2004, ran out an impressive winner of the Killerk Construction Tipperary Hurdle, benefiting from a fine ride from Nina Carberry.
The 12-1 shot was always close to the pace in the two-mile contest and kicked around four lengths clear with just under a circuit to go in the Grade Two contest.
That move proved decisive for Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott's charge as he had a commanding lead turning for home and although Definate Spectacle tried to reel him in, the winner found plenty for pressure and came home a decisive three-and-a-half-length victor.
"The (good) ground is the key and Nina was brilliant," said Elliott.
"She steadied it up and dictated things from the front. He may go to Cheltenham in November but only if the ground is right. Whatever he does this year, chasing will be his thing next year. He has already schooled brilliant.
Elliott also had news of his Aintree hero Silver Birch.
"He's cantering away and goes for the Cross-Country race at Cheltenham in November, it will be a stepping stone back to Aintree hopefully," he said.
Consistent sprinter Senor Benny (3-1) gained another valuable victory when running away with the Listed Abergwaun Stakes.
Winner of this race when it took place at Cork three years ago, Kevin McDonagh's evergreen eight-year-old was always handily placed in the five-furlong dash under Declan McDonogh.
When asked to go about his business over a furlong from the finish, he showed he still possesses plenty of acceleration and strode two and a half lengths clear of the Ger Lyons-trained City Of Tribes.
Ayr Gold runner-up Benwilt Breeze, also trained by Lyons, was back in third.
McDonagh said: "The plan now is to find a Group Three in France for him. He's always been a soft ground horse but he seems to handle faster ground this year.
"He'll stay in training another year now after that."
French Accordion notched his third victory on the bounce with an impressive display under John Cullen in the O'Dwyer Steel Like-A-Butterfly Novice Chase at Tipperary.
The 6-1 chance was settled just behind the leaders in the early stages of the Grade Three contest as Yarra Maguire and favourite Cool Running cut out the running.
As the former dropped away, French Accordion loomed upsides Cool Running in the straight and took up the running heading down to the final fence.
The Paul Nolan-trained winner produced much the better jump and careered away on the run-in to score by a comfortable four lengths.
"I knew we were throwing him in at deep end today as he was all wrong on ratings," said Nolan.
"But I went through the opposition and I thought there were holes in them all. His jumping is so good that we decided to give him his chance and he could even step up in trip, although John is a bit doubtful he will stay three miles.
"He won't race during the winter as he just can't handle bad ground."
Eastern Appeal repelled the thrusting late challenge of Excelerate to take victory in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes under Mick Kinane.
The 5-2 favourite was settled in third in the early stages of the seven-furlong contest and she was pushed up to challenge for the lead early in the straight.
Excelerate, who was last turning for home, finished with a wet sail down the outside in the final furlong but Michael Halford's Eastern Appeal still had a neck in hand at the line.
Halford said: "She deserved that and she is very tough. Mick said she was always doing enough, she idled a bit in front but was very genuine.
"We were considering going to America for a Group One race. She ran well in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and there is not a lot to lose by taking her over to America at this time of the season."
Northern Bay made every yard of the running under David Casey to take victory in the Grade Three Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort Joe Mac Novice Hurdle.
The 8-1 shot got off to a flyer in the two-mile contest and quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals.
"We've always thought a bit of him," said winning trainer Eoin Griffin.
"He's got a lot of ability but he is a little bit quirky, we had trouble saddling him today and he had to go to the start early.
"It takes a good one to go with him at home but he must have this good ground. We will put him away as soon as the ground goes and think about the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals."