Stellar Mass and Kevin Manning © Photo Healy Racing
< Stellar Mass was the star of the show at Leopardstown as he claimed Group Three honours with victory in the Ballyroan Stakes.
All eyes were on hot-favourite Bondi Beach beforehand but he could only finish third as Jim Bolger's 7-2 winner and Almela dominated the finish.
It was the latter who kicked for home first but she was never quite able to put the race to bed and as hard as she tried, she couldn't repel the late charge of Stellar Mass who prevailed by half a length.< Lancaster Bomber opened his account at the second time of asking when edging out True Valour in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Leopardstown.
Following a sustained battle inside the final furlong, the pair passed the post together but it was Lancaster Bomber (10-3) who got the verdict by a short-head as he registered an all-the-way success under Donnacha O'Brien.< Taj Mahal was again disappointing, plugging on at the one pace into third.
Things were much more straightforward for 5-4 favourite Laoch Na Mi in the Bulmer's Live At Leopardstown Maiden.
Always well placed in the hands of Kevin Manning, the son of Teofilo stretched into the lead as they turned for home and only had to be kept up to his work to see off Tree of Knowledge by two and three quarter lengths.
Champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins made another successful Flat raid in the Godolphin Student Initiative Handicap as Laws Of Spin (13-2) finished best of all under Shane Foley to beat Romanesque by a length and a half.
The recent Ballinrobe victor still had plenty to do when turning for home but he picked up really when meeting the rising ground and was well on top at the finish.
There was a terrific finish to opening Racecourse Of The Year Handicap as Victorious Secret (13-2) got the better of Intense Stylist by a head while Mcguigan (13-2 fav) handed Bolger a third winner of the evening in the Strypes Apprentice Handicap.
