Ernest Hemingway keeps on best in the closing stages to beat Scintillula (centre) and Royal Diamond (on the rail)© Photo Healy Racing
< Ernest Hemingway made light of top weight to land the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.
Aidan O'Brien's charge had beaten Royal Diamond to win at the Curragh last time, and again had that rival to aim at as Royal Diamond made a brave effort from the front.
Joseph O'Brien, completing a double on the card along with his father, had to get serious on the 11-8 favourite, but he finished well to land the spoils by half a length.
The double started when Friendship produced an authoritative succes in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
O'Brien junior was happy to bowl along in front on his father Aidan's 3-10 favourite, and after turning the screw on the home turn, he streaked clear to a six-length win over Bogardus < Ramone got up in the shadow of the post to land the Foxrock Fillies Maiden for Bill Farrell.
The 12-1 chance seemed out of contention as Danseur De Feu got the better of a battle with Acting Talent but Johnny Murtagh found another gear on Ramone, who flew home to win by a head.
Dermot Weld's Convocate showed the benefit of a debut outing when landing the 'Bressie' Maiden.
Well beaten into eighth on that first outing at the Curragh, the 8-1 chance was rather keen in the early stages here under Pat Smullen, but she kept up to the task nicely in the home straight to beat Magical Steps by a length and three quarters.< Tropical Mist forced John Oxx's Majestic Jasmine to pull out all the stops in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
The 5-1 chance loomed up under Declan McDonogh approaching the final furlong and appeared to be travelling best.
However, Tropical Mist had other ideas and McDonogh had to be at his strongest to get Majestic Jasmine up by half a length.
