IF EVER a horse was a racing certainty it was Munif in yesterday's Babs Babes Welter Race at Thurles, a two mile conditions race for four-years-old and upwards that had not won a race valued £5,000 since January 1st.

Meeting Man Of Arran 34 lb better vis-a-vis handicap terms, Munif picked him up inside the distance to win as he liked. Successful in last year's Ulster Harp Derby and Tralee's Carling Gold Cup, Dermot Weld's charge should have a more remunerative season next year if it is decided to keep him in training.

The ground was positively firm and those conditions suited the Jimmy O'Connor-trained The Outback Way, who in making all the running to win the Upperchurch chase by 12 lengths, jumped like a buck. Although outclassed by Anabatic when runner-up at Listowel, he performed well there.

Providing the going remains good or fast, the Wexford-trained chaser will reappear over fences at his local track on Sunday week.

John Shortt is currently riding at the top of his form, and in landing Castalina the winner of the Thurles Handicap Chase from Teal Bridge, rode another fine race.

The Dungarvan-trained Irish Breeze was not winning the Tipperary Novice Hurdle out of turn. David McGrath's charge chased Tale Gail from the third last, but did not appear to have much chance as Tale Gail raced clear into the straight and led over the final two flights. However Irish Breeze, who has been running consistently well, wore his rival down in the last 100 yards

The race was marred by Paddy Mullins's No News breaking a shoulder after landing over the last with a circuit to cover.

The opening Eliogarty Handicap Hurdle went to another Dungarvan horse in John Kiely's Bronica, who led over the last two to win by two lengths for Charlie Swan.

The John Oxx-trained stable companions, Saninka and Shariyka, dominated the finish of the 18-runner Glen Maiden, with the former getting in front by a neck in the last few strides.