Laureldean, a very creditable runner-up in the corresponding race last year, shed his maiden tag on the level at the age of nine, in the two mile October maiden.
As was the case twelve months ago, Billy Lee was in the plate. Twenty five to one when a neck off Bluebyyou in 2006, there were no such generous odds available this time, 5/1 being the return.
Trained locally by Michael Cunningham, Laureldean was adding to six National Hunt successes (a bumper, two hurdles and three chases on ground from good to yielding through to heavy).
A busy recent schedule which included two appearances at both the Galway and Listowel Festivals and going described as good to firm, good in places, proved no barrier to success.
Second travelling best from early in the straight, Laureldean got to the front two furlongs out, staying on well under pressure from there on to defeat Golden Hare by 4L.
Fikrah was not ignored at morning price quotes of 16/1 (paid E51.60 on Tote) and she left her debut effort behind to take the fillies maiden for Kevin Prendergast and Declan McDonogh.
Simawa, a half-sister to Sinndar, was easy in the betting for her first outing but caught the eye in coming home well for third, 2L and 1 1/4L off Fikrah and Crystal Swan.
Hamdan Al Maktoum/Kevin Prendergast and Declan McDonogh were again the trio to follow in the colts and geldings maiden half-an-hour later with Moiqen.
Like Fikrah, this fellow didn't feature on outing number one, but he was nibbled at in early trading today from 14/1 into 10/1 and completed a 142/1 double for his connections.
Leading under a furlong out, Moiqen kept on well to lead home the trio of Ballydoyle representatives, Mikhail Fokine, Alessandro Volta and Bashkirov.
The following race saw the Maktoum silks carried to victory for the 3rd time with Laywaan (Dermot Weld/Pat Smullen) dead-heating with Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan's Don Pedro Mendoza.
Dohasa did his job in great style on his nursery debut at Tipperary last month before if anything enhancing his worth when failing by 3/4L to concede 11Ib to the Listed-placed Bett's Spirit at Dundalk.
A price of 4/1 about Ger Lyons' runner proved irresistible for some in the Kells Nursery Handicap. He was backed into 100/30 and comfortably accounted for Marizan by 1 3/4L.
Martin Lane claimed 7Ibs of Dohasa's ten stone burden and after leading inside the final furlong, the outcome was soon sealed. Princess Rose Anne (20s in the morning into 7/1) was 5th.
There may have been 23 to choose from in the opening Derrinstown Stud Apprentice H'cap but punters got it right when 6/1 market-leader, Danetime Lily obliged.
The Joanna Morgan-trained, Amy Parsons-ridden 3yo led inside the final furlong and went on to beat Marinebird by 1/2L. Danetime Lily was following up a Down Royal win from 40 days ago.
Belle Of The Lodge took the 5.05 for John Oxx and Michael Kinane but the pair were denied a double in the last by the Frank Ennis-trained, Rory Cleary-ridden, Sunny'n Smart.
