Pandorama opens with win in Punchestown

Exciting recruit Pandorama had to pull out all the stops to make a winning start to his fencing career in the Christmas Parties At Punchestown Beginners Chase.

Noel Meade's star was sent off the 2-5 favourite on the back of a smart hurdling career and was allowed to bowl along in front by Paul Carberry, though he continually jumped to the left.

Clan Tara threw down a strong challenge in the closing stages and looked to have Pandorama in trouble at the last, but the six-year-old ran on gamely and edged home by a head.

Psycho was produced with precision timing by Ruby Walsh to run out an emphatic winner of the Go Racing In Kildare Hurdle.

Tony Martin's classy eight-year-old, who hadn't made the winner's enclosure since January 2008, was given a patient ride towards the rear by the champion jockey as Beau Michael led the way.

The 2-1 favourite made stealthy progress nearing the second-last and a good jump at the final flight took him into the lead, before he strode clear to score by three lengths from the staying-on Healys Bar.

The Hurl (11-8 favourite) responded well to Niall Madden's driving as he landed the Dobbins Catering At Punchestown Maiden Hurdle.

Mouse Morris's charge was in front at the second-last and looked to have the race in the bag, but Abou Ben put in a determined challenge all the way up the run-in and there was only a length in it at the line.

Qualviro (7-1) showed a keen fighting spirit to take the Madigans Bars At Punchestown Maiden Hurdle.

In front for much of the way, the Jim Culloty-trained gelding looked in trouble when Gates Of Rome loomed up approaching the final flight, but he battled on and took the prize by three-quarters of a length under Tom Doyle.

Kevin Coleman got a great response from Clan Music on the run-in as Lorna Casey's 12-1 shot held off Bobs Display by a neck in the 2010 Five Day Festival Handicap Hurdle.