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Whispering Hills and Chase The Favourite oblige

Dessie Hughes and Brian Cooper were in double winning form over timber at Kilbeggan, culminating in Whispering Hills' success in the T And V Novice Hurdle.

Cooper pushed the 5-4 market leader in front before the third last, but second favourite Passage Vendome appeared to have that move covered as he was just a length down two out.

Whispering Hills found plenty for Cooper's pressure, though, and pulled away on the run-in to score by two lengths.

Hughes and Cooper's winning run started when Chase The Favourite ran out a commanding winner of the www.kilbegganraces.com Maiden Hurdle.

Cooper was content to put his rivals to the sword a long way out, and had plenty of them on the stretch when extending his lead on the back straight.

The 2-1 favourite was always in control after that, and though Wall Street Wally came from out of the chasing bunch to take second, he was still three and a half lengths down at the line.

Dazzling Susie looks a formidable recruit to the chasing game after leaving her rivals - including the smart Carlito Brigante - toiling in the Tyrrellspass Novice Chase.

Tom Doyle shot clear on the well-backed 13-8 chance and the exuberant front-runner could even afford a juddering mistake at the fourth last before coming home well clear of Glibin.

Mister Benedictine completed a hat-trick in fine style when cruising to victory in the Fay Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.

Brendan Duke's 3-1 favourite was not pushed too hard to follow up wins at Ballinrobe and at this track, and despite a 15lb rise for his last win, he came home four and a quarter lengths clear of Battling Boru under Dave Crosse.

John Ryan's Kalico Kim (9-2) produced a repeat of last year's success in the Hurley Family Handicap Hurdle, coming home two and a half lengths clear of Taken Twice under Tim Carroll.

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