Scare for Stair in last Blackstairmountain had to work hard to jusitify prohibitive odds in the concluding amateur race at Bellewstown. Willie Mullins' charge, last seen when third in the Galway Plate, was sent off 1/7 for the mile-and-a-half contest after opening at 1/4 on course. Moiqen went off hard in front and had his rivals off the bridle turning for home. Blackstairmountain appeared to get outpaced and Patrick Mullins was soon rowing along on the hotpot. Moiqen, who stayed on the far side, was claimed at the furlong pole by Parramatta and the favourite on the outer. Stamina came into play in the closing stages and Blackstairmountain found top gear, getting up for a length-and-three-quarters win. Mullins junior revealed afterwards that runner-up Parramatta had been a worry beforehand:- "She was the one I was worried about as she was getting nearly a stone. She won a bumper and is bred to get this distance. "I know my fella has a reputation for not being tough but he was tough there. That might prove to be good form." (On course reporting by Michael Graham)
