Although six were declared at the overnight stage, only three runners went to post for Her Majesty's Plate at Down Royal on Saturday. Last Theatre bounced out and proceeded to make all the running under Kevin Manning for a six length success.
Winning trainer Jim Bolger was not present, but his representitive Pat O'Donovan said, 'That is her third win and she will be well entered up'.
Johnny Murtagh, who rode the runner-up, Northern Rock, took the riding honours on the day, having earlier won the Dunadry Claiming Race on the Declan Gillespie-trained Rumours Abound. For the Curragh trainer, this victory certainly marked a change of fortune as on Friday he saw his Landofheartsdesire disqualified after winning at the track.
Murtagh completed a double when odds-on favourite Jakeal scored a comfortable win in the Hillsborough Race for trainer Eddie Lynam. The two length winner now heads to Naas for the Birdcatcher Nursery.
And his third winner came in the shape of top-weight Queen For A Day, the 9 to 4 favourite, which swooped late under the former champion to win the November Festival Handicap.
Paul Hourigan found himself in trouble with the Stewards after the opening EBF Maiden Hurdle, won in good style by Splendour. Hourigan was suspended for 10 days for 'unnecessary using of the whip after his winning chance or chance of being placed had gone' on Millennium Gold, placed eighth.
