< St Nicholas Abbey cemented his position towards the head of next year's Derby market with a classy display in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

Sent off a red-hot 2-5 favourite on the back of his maiden victory over course and distance, he took a little while to hit top gear when Layali An Andalus kicked for home, but once Johnny Murtagh got him balanced, he quickened smoothly to score by three-quarters of a length.

Richard Hannon confirmed his reputation as the trainer for the big sales races when Lucky General (11-2) led home a 1-2 for the yard in the Goffs Million Sprint.

Hannon's Full Mandate appeared the most likely winner when fighting off all challengers up until the final 150 yards, but Richard Hughes brought her stablemate with a perfectly-timed run to triumph by a length and three-quarters. King Ledley flew for third.

Hannon could only manage third with Nurture in the Goffs Million Mile, but the prize still went back to Britain, courtesy of the Mark Johnston-trained Shakespearean

The well-supported 3-1 shot looked a sitting duck with plenty of rivals queueing up to challenge at the furlong-marker, but he pulled out more and more to beat Jim Bolger's Marfach by a short head.

Bolger suffered more disappointment when his 2000 Guineas third Gan Amhras failed to fire behind Dohasa (9-2) in the Boodles Diamond Trophy.< Lady Springbank made the best possible start for new trainer Paul Deegan in the C.L. Weld Park Stakes.

Not seen since flopping in Sandown's Star Stakes when in the care of Karl Burke, the Choisir filly has obviously thrived in her new surroundings because she mastered Bikini Babe in the final furlong to spring a 25-1 surprise.< Dani California (13-2 favourite) landed the Hacketts Bookmakers Irish Cesarewitch, while the Irish Stallion Farms Joe McGrath EBF Handicap fell to 12-1 chance Toufan Express who relished a drop in trip under Chris Hayes.