Aidan O'Brien's $6.4million yearling purchase Van Nistelrooy (4/5-4/6f) just got up in the dying strides to pip Etruscan King in a slowly run Flame Of Tara Tyros Stakes before a crowd of 4063.
'I thought I was wrong not to run a pacemaker when I saw how slow they went after a furlong but to the horses credit he did it well in the circumstances',O'Brien said after the narrow victory.
The race turned into a sprint after half-way and after taking a couple of strides to get into gear Mick Kinane's mount quickened up to put his head in front where it mattered at the expense of 10/1 chance Etruscan King.
'He certainly learned a lot from that and in the circumstances did well. He'll come back here for the Futurity Stakes,' said the Ballydoyle maestro of Van Nistelrooy, who earlier saddled Miguel Cervantes (4/5-5/4-4/5f) to make a winning bow.
Mick Channon, otherwise busy supervising his runners in Britain, was responsible for the winner of the G3 Meld Stakes when Imperial Dancer battled gamely to forge past Chancellor well inside the final furlong.
Providing last years British champion apprentice Chris Catlin (20), making his first trip to Ireland, with his second G3 success, the 4/1 shot is owned by the 4-strong Imperial Racing syndicate from Southampton including trainer Channon, who saddled the colt to land a similar contest at Ayr last weekend.
Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning continued their rich vein of form when scooping the 10f handicap with well supported Tivoli Garden, owned by Joan Brosnan, wife of HRI Chairman Denis Brosnan.
Pat Shanahan was lucky to escape with just a bruised left elbow and slight concussion after his mount Zota clipped heels and slipped up bringing down River Delta at the two furlong pole.
Wayne Lordan (River Delta) was quickly on his feet but Shanahan needed the attention of the medical team before rising to his feet several minutes after Cool Cousin and Tadgh O'Shea romped home by seven lengths.
Eight Jackpot investors picked up a handsome dividend of E6,224.60 when Servov powered home under Wayne Lordan in the five furlong handicap while Solid Approach got up close home under Michael Hussey in the finale.
