English runners filled the first three places in the featured Group3 Ballyogan Stakes. Rudi's Pet provided David Nicholls with back-to-back victories in the race, having been successful with Proud Native twelve months ago. Although stable companion Pepperdine was the subject of an early morning gamble (10/1 to 3/1), Rudi's Pet came home with half a length to spare over Cassandra Go to record his ninth win over the minimum trip.
Aidan O'Brien and Michael Kinane notched up an opening race double with Lampedusa (5/4) and Pirate Of Penzance (4/7 to 5/2). Kinane was expected to partner Beckett (stone bruise) in the Listed Rochestown Stakes but found an able deputy in Pirate Of Penzance, the American bred bolting in by 2 1/2L. O'Brien said afterwards: ' We always thought a lot of him but he needs to be given time as he is a fine big colt.'
Lampedusa will now step up in class after his comfortable victory in the opening maiden but would prefer better ground.
Kinane was seen at his best when completing a treble aboard Impulsif who got up in the last stride to beat Crown Point in The Somerville Handicap.
The Irene Oakes-trained Provosky(5/1-8/1-7/1) provided Australian Damien Oliver with his third winner in Ireland when making all in the 1m1f handicap.
